Sports Editor

Georgia State opened up a first half 39-36 lead following halftime of Wednesday night’s Atlantic Sun Conference game with Troy State, eventually winning, 84-67.

The Trojans fell to 6-5 on the year and 2-2 in the conference, while the Panthers improved to 7-4 and 3-1 in A-Sun play.

The Panthers and Troy State matched each other with players in double figures (three apiece) but it was guard Lamont McIntosh doing the damage for Georgia State. McIntosh scored a game-high 25 points, followed by Thomas Terrell’s 20 points and Leroy Davis’ 18.

"They’ve got the most talented team in the league," said Troy State head coach Don Maestri.

Lemayn Wilson had 20 points to lead Troy State and Robert Rushing had 18. Donnie Pemberton scored 12 for TSU.

Rushing was particularly accurate for the Trojans in the first half, scoring 15 points. Rushing answered a three-pointer by Davis to start the game and added another basket as the Trojans built an early 7-3 lead. Troy State would add nine more points to take a 14-6 lead with 13:30 left in the first half.

The homestanding league champion Panthers, however, were unimpressed.

After three straight baskets by each team, Georgia State took off on a 12-0 run to claim their first lead of the ball game. Terrell started the run with two-points, McIntosh followed with a score and Nate Williams dropped in two straight baskets as the Panthers took a 22-21 lead with 7:15 remaining.

Trailing 26-21, TSU’s Donnie Pemberton knocked down a three-pointer to keep Troy State close. Pemberton came back to score a two-pointer and Marcus Millhouse hit one-of-two free throws to tie the game at 30-30. Rushing added two baskets to give TSU a 34-30 with under three minutes left.

Georgia State scored nine points to the Trojans’ two to close out the half and claim the lead for good.

TSU will travel to play Belmont on Saturday night. Tip-off is at 4:15 p.m.