“Claws and Competition: Panthers Take on Mercer at Georgia State University”

ATLANTA– Georgia State is set to host its final non-conference opponent Mercer on Saturday, Dec. 29 at 2:00 p.m.

 Georgia State and Mercer are set to meet for the 45th time in the history of their programs. The Panthers boast a record of 33-11 in the series against the Bears.

PANTHERS IN THE SUN BELT

> Guided by Nick McMullen, who leads the conference and ranks 12th nationally in rebounds per game, the Panthers sit seventh overall in the Sun Belt for rebounds per game with an average of 38.08.

> Nick McMullen dominates in almost every rebounding metric, leading the conference in total rebounds (121, ranking 14th nationally) and rebounds per game (10.1, ranking 14th nationally). He ranks second in the conference and 18th nationally for defensive rebounds per game, averaging 6.92, and is also second in offensive rebounds with 3.17.

> Additionally, the Panthers feature two more players leading the conference in their categories. Toneari Lane leads in minutes per game (34:23), and Zarique Nutter holds the second spot in the Sun Belt for free throws made, totaling 54.

KEY RETURNERS: During a rebuilding offseason for the Panthers’ basketball team, head coach Jonas Hayes retained five returnees from the 2023-24 roster, including Toneari Lane, Malik Ferguson, DK Dut, Brevyn Coleman, and Aaron Oh.

> Key returner Toneari Lane is the Panthers’ second-highest scorer with 13.3 points per game, along with 3.2 rebounds and 14 assists.

> The experienced guard ranks fourth in the Sun Belt for three-pointers per game with an average of 2.58.

> He is also listed in the top 10 in the Sun Belt for total three-pointers made (5th/ 31) and three-point shooting percentage (6th/ 29.8).

VETERAN TRANSFER SQUAD: Head coach Jonas Hayes and his team have restructured the GSU roster through the addition of seven transfers and four freshmen.

> The transfer roster includes seasoned veterans like Justin Archer (graduate, Radford), Cesare Edwards (senior, Missouri State), Zarique Nutter (senior, Northern Illinois), Darnell Evans (senior, Caldwell), and Nick McMullen (senior, UNC-Asheville).

> Northern Illinois transfer Zarique Nutter is currently the Panthers’ highest scorer, averaging 15.7 points per game, 3.5 rebounds, and 26 assists.

> Nutter is second in the conference for free throws made, with a total of 54. He also ranks seventh in total points with 173 and third in points per game with 15.7.

> Senior Cesare Edwards ranks third on the Panthers’ scoring list with 11.8 points per game and is second in rebounding with an average of 6.8 rebounds per game. He has also accumulated 13 assists and seven steals this season.

> Edwards is positioned third in the conference after achieving three double-doubles thus far, including games against Ball State (Nov. 4) and Tulsa (Nov. 27). His latest double-double occurred in the Panthers’ matchup against Kennesaw State (Dec. 6).

> The forward ranks in the top ten of the Sun Belt for rebounding (8th/6.8 rpg) and blocks (9th/ 0.92 pg).

> Senior Nick McMullen is leading the Panthers on defense, amassing 121 rebounds so far this season. His average of 10.1 rebounds per game puts him at the top of the Sun Belt, ranking 14th nationally.

> McMullen averages 11.8 points per game.

> He leads the conference and is ranked 21st nationally in double-doubles, with five to his name. His first double-double was in the season opener against Ball State (Nov. 4), followed by another against North Carolina Central (Nov. 22). Another came in the Panthers’ victory against Tulsa (Nov. 27), and his latest occurred in the game versus Kennesaw State (Dec. 6), where he achieved 10 points alongside 12 rebounds.

 

Georgia State is set to resume conference play, hosting South Alabama on Thursday, Jan. 2 at 7:00 p.m. at the GSU Convocation Center.