Panthers’ lack of inside presence shows in defeat

The old gang was back on the floor for Georgia State after last week’s COVID-19 issues that limited the team to eight players against Rhode Island and caused cancellation of the midweek game against Tennessee State.

The only players missing were 6-foot-7 freshman power forward Ja’Heim Hudson, still out with the virus, and 6-8 senior forward Eliel Nsoseme, who has yet to play this season while rehabbing a knee injury. The lack of their pres- ence definitely was a factor.

With few inside options to counter Mercer’s big guys, Georgia State lost an 83-77 decision to the Bears on Saturday at Hawkins Arena.

“They made a concerted effort to go inside against

us,” Georgia State coach Rob Lanier said. “We didn’t have much resistance in the paint, and we didn’t have much of a presence in the paint ourselves. Some of that is a byproduct of the makeup of our team right now, but it’s not a reason for the game to go the way it did.

“Bottom line is you’ve got to be a little tougher. We’ve got to fight harder, and we have to continue to develop into a team that in adverse situations, we can have the resolve to execute, to defend, to get stops.”

Mercer scored 36 points in the paint — including nine early in the second half from 280-pound Shannon Grant, who did not score in the first half. Georgia State scored 22 in the paint. The Bears had 15 second-chance points.

The score was tied at 55 midway in the second half before Mercer used its size advantage and a pair of 3-pointers by James Glisson to go on a 14-2 run. Georgia State cut the lead to 76-72 on a rare 3-pointer by Jalen Thomas but never got closer than four points. Mercer put the game away at the line when Felipe Haase made a pair of free throws and Neftali Alvarez made three of four.

Georgia State (4-3) had four players in double figures, led by Nelson Phillips, who grew up in nearby Warner Robins, with 19 points and five rebounds. Justin Roberts and Cane Williams each scored 14, and Corey Allen scored 13. Georgia State was 14-for-30 on its 3s.

Mercer (5-4) got 25 points from Glisson, and Jalen Johnson had 19 points and nine rebounds.