Late free throws lift Charleston over Georgia State

Grant Riller was perfect from the free-throw line, and Jaylen Richard converted 3 of 4 free throws in the final 25 seconds as Charleston held off visiting Georgia State 84-80 in a nonconference game Saturday that lived up to its pregame hype.

The game pitted the Cougars, ranked No. 17 in one preseason mid-major poll, and Georgia State, the twotime defending Sun Belt Conference champion.

Georgia State took the lead with 9:23 left on a 6-0 run fueled by two free throws and a dunk from Josh Linder. The Panthers led 75-70 after Kane Williams scored at the basket with 5:33 to go.

Jaylen McManus tied it with a 3-pointer with 2:11 left, and Richard hit a jumper to put Charleston in front 79-77 with 1:36 left. Richard added two free throws, but Nelson Phillips answered with a 3 for Georgia State to make it 81-80.

The Cougars (2-0) closed it out when Richard hit the first of two from the line, and Riller knocked down two more with three seconds left.

The preseason Colonial Athletic Association player of the year and a Lute Olson Award candidate, Riller finished with 23 points, including 14 of 14 from the line, adding five assists and four steals.

Brevin Galloway added 19 points and Richard and McManus each contributed 13.

Justin Roberts led Georgia State (1-1) with 22 points, hitting 7 of 10 from the line. Linder added 19 points and 12 rebounds off the bench.

No. 12 Seton Hall wins despite losing Powell

Romaro Gill had 10 points and 10 assists, and Sandro Mamukelashvili scored 17 points as No. 12 Seton Hall withstood an ankle injury to Myles Powell and beat visiting Stony Brook 74-57 in a game that marked the return of Pirates coach Kevin Willard.

Powell, the Big East preseason player of the year and an Associated Press preseason All-America selection, sprained his left ankle five minutes into the game and didn’t return. Seton Hall guard Quincy McKnight added 14 points.

(At) Georgetown 89, Central Arkansas 78: Omer Yurtseven had 17 points and 15 rebounds as Georgetown got past Central Arkansas.

Nicholls State 75, (at) Pittsburgh 70: D’Angelo Hunter scored 17 points and Nicholls State made 11 3-pointers as the Colonels upset Pittsburgh.

(At) Indiana 85, Portland State 74: Al Durham scored 14 of his 18 points in the second half as Indiana pulled away from pesky Portland State.

(At) Notre Dame 92, Robert Morris 57: Dane Goodwin led a balanced Notre Dame attack with 18 points off the bench as the Fighting Irish stormed to a victory over Robert Morris.