Georgia State Controls Boards, Knocks Off Samford, 62-43 :: Bulldogs fall to 0-2 in the Atlantic Sun.

Jan. 11, 2003

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Evita Rogers recorded a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds and Georgia State out-rebounded Samford, 42-24, as the Lady Panthers defeated the Bulldogs, 62-43, in women's college basketball action at Seibert Hall Saturday afternoon. The Lady Panthers (6-7, 1-1 A-Sun) earned their first conference win while Samford fell to 4-9 and 0-2 in the Atlantic Sun.

Kara Edwards scored a game-high 17 points to lead Georgia State. Giovanni Price scored 13 points for the Bulldogs. Yvette Tisdale grabbed 11 rebounds for the Lady Panthers.

Rogers, the Atlantic Sun Preseason Player of the Year, scored 10 of her 15 points in the first half to help Georgia State to a, 30-19, halftime lead. Samford shot only 31 percent in the first half and committed six turnovers.

Samford overcame a 7-2 deficit early to cut its deficit to, 7-6, with 13:37 remaining before halftime. Cora Beth Smith and Chelsee Insell each converted lay-ups for the Bulldogs to cut the GSU lead. But, GSU answered with a 9-0 run. Edwards hit a jumper with 7:42 to give the Lady Panthers a 16-6 advantage.

The Bulldogs came within 20-13 on Price's 3-point play with 5:02 left before halftime. Edwards then scored six points during a 10-2 Georgia State run. Rogers knocked down a 3-pointer giving the Lady Panthers their largest lead of the first half, 30-15, with 2:42 remaining.

Samford pulled within 33-27 at the start of the second half on Che's Walker's lay-up with 15:56 left in the game. After Georgia State extended its lead to 38-27, Lindsey Harris completed a 3-point play, pulling Samford within, 38-30 with 10:59, but that was as close as the Bulldogs would get.

The Bulldogs forced Georgia State into 10 turnovers in the second half, but the Lady Panthers out-rebounded Samford 22-8 in the second half. GSU finished the game shooting 40 percent from the field including 36 percent from 3-point range. Samford shot only 35 percent from the field and 82 percent from the free-throw line. The Bulldogs did not make a 3-pointer in a game for the first time this season.

The Bulldogs will be in action next Saturday, Jan. 18, when they host Belmont in the second game of a doubleheader. Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m. or 30 minutes following the men's game against Georgia State.