Games 341-342: Sweep

342 - Georgia Southern at Georgia State
341 - Georgia Southern women at Georgia State
March 4 at GSU Sports Arena in Atlanta, GA

Georgia State took both games from its in-state rival on Saturday afternoon, though neither victory came easy.

In the nightcap, the Panthers turned the ball over 20 times, but thanks to 21 points from D'Marcus Simonds and 16 points on a perfect, 4-for-4 afternoon from three-point range from Jeff Thomas, won 72-67 to clinch the No. 2 seed in next week's Sun Belt Conference Tournament.

I've been a big fan of Thomas since the sophomore arrived on campus last season, mainly for his three-point shooting and his defense that seems to improve by the game. He hit several big shots Saturday, but his most impressive basket was probably a strong drive and off-hand lay-up that put GSU up 66-62 at the three-minute mark.

Georgia Southern, which had embarrassed Georgia State in the teams' other meeting in Statesboro last New Year's Eve, got as close as 66-65 with 2 1/2 minutes to play on a steal and lay-up by Sun Belt leading scorer Ike Smith (game-high 27 points).

Jeremy Hollowell, who struggled from the field (4-of-12), but otherwise had a really nice day with 15 points, and team-highs in rebounds (12) and assists (5), hit a pair of free throws to get the lead to 69-65, then had the biggest play of the game chasing down a loose ball on a missed free throw with 13 seconds left with the Panthers in front by three. Hollowell sealed the win at the other end with two more free throws.

UT-Arlington comes into the league tournament as the top seed, and the Mavericks have had a really good season, but I still think the tournament is up for grabs. GSU has as good a chance as anyone to secure the automatic bid.

The GSU women closed their regular season with a 63-62 win & my memories of this game will mostly revolve around Makeba Ponder.

She was just 1-of-6 from the field and had only three points at halftime, but still handed out three assists in 11 minutes and I felt the second 20 minutes could be her breakout moment. Ponder responded, hitting 5-of-10 from three-point range, including a gigantic three from the top of the key with five seconds to go that put GSU up 63-60. Southern's Alexis Brown missed a potential tying three and the Panthers survived to secure the league's No. 7 seed.

Ponder finished with a game-high 20 points and in two games against the Eagles, both wins, averaged 18 points.

Angel McGowan, who also scored 20 points, hit a three with 17 1/2 seconds left that pulled Southern even at 60-60.