CANCUN, Mexico -- D'Marcus Simonds scored 26 points and Georgia State came back from an early 10-point deficit to beat NJIT 74-53 in the opening game of the Cancun Challenge on Tuesday.

It was the freshman's best scoring performance, shooting 11 of 15. Isaiah Dennis added 10 points for the Panthers (2-2), who shot 57.1 percent, making 32 of 56, though they sank just 2 of 13 3-pointers and 8 of 16 free throws.

The Highlanders (2-3) made 10 3-pointers but shot just 34 percent overall, committed 21 turnovers and were outrebounded by 10. Damon Lynn led NJIT with 15 points and Osa Izevbuwa 13.

The Highlanders led 16-6 with 12:59 left in the first half but the Panthers finished the final four minutes on a 14-0 run to lead 39-27 at halftime.

NJIT cut the lead to eight early in the second half before the Panthers pulled away.