Wilmington, N.C.-Georgia State fell at UNC Wilmington, 57-50, in a Colonial Athletic Association game Wednesday at Trask Coliseum in Wilmington, N.C. Joe Dukes scored 21 points to lead the Panthers (8-8, 2-2 CAA), who rallied in the second half and had a shot to tie the game with 24 seconds left, but Trae Goldston’s three-point attempt rolled around the rim and out.
John Fields had 13 points and 16 rebounds to lead UNC Wilmington (6-8, 2-2 CAA), which won its second straight game.
Georgia State trailed 53-46 with 46 seconds left when Dukes made a short jumper and was fouled. He missed the free throw and UNCW rebounded, but Jihad Ali stole the ball and laid it in to pull the Panthers within three.
After Dominique Lacy missed the front end of a one-and-one with 36 seconds left, the Panthers got a good look for Goldston. But GSU’s leading scorer and top three-point shooter struggled tonight, failing to make a trey for the first time all season. He was held to just two points on the night.
“I’m proud of kids for fighting back on the road,” said GSU head coach Rod Barnes. “We gave ourselves a chance to win. We got a good look for our best shooter with a chance to tie.
“This is league is very tough every night. If you have a shot to win or tie on the road, that’s what you want. But congratulations to UNC Wilmington. They made the plays they had to at the end.”
Ali scored a season-high 11 points for the Panthers, all after the intermission as GSU rallied after trailing by as many as 11 in the second half. Dukes, who also had seven rebounds and three steals, scored 15 of his points in the second half.
Georgia State led 22-14 with six minutes to play in the first half before UNCW ended the half with a 13-2 run to take a 27-24 lead into the locker room. Five different Seahawks scored on the run.
The Panthers shot just 32 percent from the field and were just 1-for-11 from three-point range. UNCW managed to shoot 40 percent and outrebounded GSU, 46-36.
“We didn’t defend the way we’ve been defending, but a lot of that had to with the other team, so give them credit. They’re a great offensive rebounding team, and the big guy (Fields) really makes a difference on the back end.”
The Panthers return home to host Northeastern Saturday at 12 noon at the GSU Sports Arena. (WRAS-FM 88.5)
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