Georgia State Opens Costa Rica International Tour with 82-29 Victory

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica – Georgia State opened its Costa Rican International Tour on Friday evening with an 82-29 victory over Cartago. Freshman Jeff Thomas led the Panthers with 19 points while freshman Jordan Session added 16.

Thomas scored 18 of his 19 points in the first half and unofficially added three rebounds and a pair of steals.

Head coach Ron Hunter sat R.J. Hunter, Ryan Harrow, Kevin Ware, Curtis Washington and Markus Crider, electing to use many of the newcomers and freshman to gain some experience.

“This was a good first game for us,” Hunter said. “We were able to get a lot of guys some valuable playing time and experience against some opposition for the first time. I really liked what some of our freshmen did tonight and look forward to them continuing to improve.

The teams played by FIBA International Rules which included four 10-minute quarters. The game was played with a running clock.

Redshirt-freshman Isaiah Dennis added 13 points including a dunk from just inside the free throw line that got the crowd in Cartago on their feet. He also swiped three steals and grabbed a rebound in the win.

Junior college transfer Jalen Brown finished with seven points, including a pair of second half 3-pointers. Junior T.J. Shipes added eight points while freshman Grant Cagle knocked down a pair of 3-pointers and finished with eight points.

The Panthers knocked down eight 3-pointers in the game.

Earlier in the day, members of the team toured San Jose, getting to see the downtown area and do a little shopping. Before the game, the team put on a 45-minute clinic for the children of Cartago.

Make sure to visit the InsideGSUSports blog to see the photo album from day 2.

Following a shoe distribution with Samaritan’s Feet on Saturday morning, the Panthers will face Puntarenas later in the evening in game 2 of the four-game exhibition tour.