Panthers Welcome Marshall for an Energizing Clash at Georgia State University

ATLANTA– Georgia State aims to prolong its home victory streak to three games against Marshall on Thursday, Jan. 23 at 7:00 p.m. at the GSU Convocation Center.

Georgia State and Marshall are set to compete for the sixth time in the history of the program. The Panthers hold a 1-4 record in the series, having lost 86-74 in the Sun Belt Tournament on March 7, 2024.

KEY STORY LINES: 

> The Panthers are currently enjoying a 3-0 winning streak at home following victories over Louisiana (Jan. 4), Georgia Southern (OT win, Jan. 8), and Coastal Carolina (Jan. 11). 

 

PANTHERS IN THE SUN BELT

> Guided by Nick McMullen, who ranks second in the conference and 17th nationally in rebounds per game, the Panthers’ 39.21 rebounds per game ranks third in the Sun Belt.

> Nick McMullen is second in all rebounding metrics within the Sun Belt, including total rebounds (190, 11th nationally), rebounds per game (10.0, 17th nationally), defensive rebounds per game (6.42, 34th nationally) and offensive rebounds (3.58, 13th nationally). 

IMPORTANT RETURNERS: In a rebuilding off-season for the Panthers’ basketball program, head coach Jonas Hayes retained five returners from the 2023-24 team, including Toneari Lane, Malik Ferguson, DK Dut, Brevyn Coleman, and Aaron Oh.

> The Panthers’ key returner Toneari Lane is Georgia State’s second-leading scorer with 14.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, and 33 assists.

> The experienced guard ranks third in the Sun Belt for three-pointers made per game with 2.68. His three-point shooting percentage of 30.2 stands sixth overall in the conference. He is also fifth in total three-pointers made, tallying 51. 

> Sophomore returnee Malik Ferguson has participated in 14 games for the Panthers thus far, accumulating 16 points and 11 rebounds.   

 

EXPERIENCED TRANSFER CLASS: Head coach Jonas Hayes and his team have revamped the GSU roster with the addition of seven transfers and four freshmen.

> The transfer class consists of seasoned players including 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 tied as the Panthers’ leading scorer with 14.4 ppg, along with 3.3 rpg and 38 assists.

> Nutter’s scoring average of 14.4 ppg shares a tie for ninth in the conference.  

> Nutter also ranks seventh in the conference for free throws with a total of 68.

> Senior Cesare Edwards is tied for first on the Panthers’ scoring leaderboard with 14.4 ppg, and he ranks second in rebounding with 6.8 rpg. For the season, he has accumulated 18 assists, 24 blocks, and 11 steals. 

> Edwards’ scoring average of 14.4 ppg ties for ninth in the conference.  

> Edwards stands third in the conference for double-doubles, having achieved four so far. His double-doubles occurred during the Panthers’ victories against Ball State (Nov. 4) and Tulsa (Nov. 27). Most recently, he achieved a double-double in the Panthers’ game against Kennesaw State (Dec. 6). 

> Senior Nick McMullen guides the Panthers defensively, amassing a total of 190 rebounds this season, ranking second in the Sun Belt. His 10.0 rebounds per game also ranks second in the Sun Belt and 17th nationally. 

> McMullen averages 9.7 ppg. 

> He is also second in the conference and stands 34th nationally for double-doubles, with a total of six. His first double-double was recorded in the season opener against Ball State (Nov. 4), with his second coming against North Carolina Central (Nov. 22). Notably, McMullen recorded 22 points and 14 rebounds in the Panthers’ initial conference victory over Louisiana (Jan. 4).

> Sophomore transfer Malachi Brown has been an essential contributor to the Panthers’ offense, averaging 7.2 ppg and 3.6 rpg. He leads the team with 60 assists.   

> Iowa State transfer Jelani Hamilton has experienced a breakout season with the Panthers, ranking fifth on Georgia State’s scoring leaderboard with 9.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 24 assists, and 16 steals. 

Georgia State will face James Madison (Jan. 25) at home before embarking on a trip to Marshall on Jan. 30.