Game 653 - Middle Georgia State at Georgia State

December 29 at GSU Sports Arena in Atlanta, GA
ESPN +

It was an NAIA opponent, yes, but good heavens what a way to close the non-league portion of the schedule.

GSU scored the fourth-most points in program history and had its second-largest margin of victory ever in a 117-69 victory.

After a sluggish start and an early struggle from behind the arc, Middle Georgia actually led 20-15 nine minutes in. But Nelson Phillips' tremendous offensive rebound and eventual put back at the 7:42 mark capped an 11-0 run and GSU led 26-20 and for the remainder of the day. The freshman Phillips had his finest game as a collegiate, scoring a career-high 20 points on 7-of-8 shooting, while Devin Mitchell knocked down seven 3-pointers on his way to a game-high 21 points (18 in the second half).

The Panthers hit 16 three-pointers and four others reached double figures, including Malik Benlevi and Damon Wilson, who chipped in with 16 apiece.

Middle Georgia shot 41% from the field in the first half, but just 27% (10-of-36) in the second and turned the ball over 21 times. GSU led 48-37 at the break, then its second-half point total equaled the visiting Knights' scoring output for the game.

The three highest-scoring single games in school history also came against in-state teams from lower divisions. The Panthers defeated Fort Valley State 122-106 in November, 1989; Piedmont 119-76 in November, 1991; and Morris Brown 118-81 in December, 1988 (thanks to GSU SID Mike Holmes for those numbers). The largest margin of victory in program history was the highest recent point total before Saturday - a 115-55 victory over Tennessee Temple in November, 2014.

After a great non-conference slate that included wins over 2018 NCAA team St. Bonaventure, Alabama and Georgia, the Panthers (9-4) open Sun Belt play with a road trio to UT-Arlington, who it beat in last year's Sun Belt championship game, January 3, and Texas State, January 5.