Simonds scores 15 points in Georgia State's 63-53 win
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- D'Marcus Simonds scored 15 points and Georgia State used a big run to start the second half in defeating Alabama A&M 63-53 on Wednesday night.
Devin Mitchell added 12 points and Malik Benlevi 10 for the Panthers (5-2).
Alabama A&M had a 14-7 lead but Georgia State's defense held the Bulldogs without a field goal for more than seven minutes with the teams tied at 29 at the half.
Georgia State opened the second half scoring the first five points and used a 9-3 run to take a 38-32 lead with 15:45 remaining, eventually going up by 12.
De'Ederick Petty led the Bulldogs (0-7) in their home opener with 16 points, while Andre Kennedy added 10.
"This was a gritty win for us tonight," Panthers coach Ron Hunter said. "Our defense kept us in the game in a tough environment to play. Our defensive effort is going to be what wins us a lot of games this year."
Game Information
- Referees:
- Mike Nance
- John Heatly
- M McKetchen
2023-24 Sun Belt Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appalachian State | 16-2 | - | 27-7 |
| James Madison | 15-3 | 1 | 32-4 |
| Troy | 13-5 | 3 | 20-12 |
| Arkansas State | 11-7 | 5 | 20-17 |
| Louisiana | 10-8 | 6 | 19-14 |
| Southern Miss | 9-9 | 7 | 16-16 |
| South Alabama | 8-10 | 8 | 16-16 |
| Georgia State | 8-10 | 8 | 14-17 |
| Georgia Southern | 8-10 | 8 | 9-24 |
| Texas State | 7-11 | 9 | 17-18 |
| Marshall | 7-11 | 9 | 13-20 |
| UL Monroe | 6-12 | 10 | 11-19 |
| Coastal Carolina | 5-13 | 11 | 9-22 |
| Old Dominion | 3-15 | 13 | 7-25 |
2023-24 Southwestern Athletic Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grambling | 14-4 | - | 21-15 |
| Alcorn State | 13-5 | 1 | 14-18 |
| Southern | 12-6 | 2 | 18-14 |
| Texas Southern | 12-6 | 2 | 16-17 |
| Bethune-Cookman | 11-7 | 3 | 17-17 |
| Jackson State | 11-7 | 3 | 15-17 |
| Alabama A&M | 9-9 | 5 | 12-23 |
| Arkansas-Pine Bluff | 8-10 | 6 | 13-18 |
| Alabama State | 8-10 | 6 | 13-19 |
| Prairie View A&M | 5-13 | 9 | 10-21 |
| Florida A&M | 4-14 | 10 | 6-23 |
| Mississippi Valley State | 1-17 | 13 | 1-30 |
Men's College Basketball News
