Georgia State leads big early, hangs on to beat Troy 72-68

Jan 7, 2016, 10:32 pm

ATLANTA -- Jeremy Hollowell scored 22 points and opened the game with two of his four 3-pointers as Georgia State never trailed while defeating Troy 74-68 on Thursday night.

The Panthers (9-3, 2-1 Conference USA) punched the early lead up to 19-4 as Kevin Ware scored back-to-back 3-pointers -- both on feeds from Hollowell who had four assists -- and then Ware passed to Hollowell for a 3 and to Isaiah Dennis for a dunk.

Ware added 17 points with three 3-pointers and six assists. Isaiah Williams added 14 points.

Georgia State led 38-19 at halftime as Troy (5-9, 0-3) made just six of its first 24 field-goal tries. The Trojans came alive in the second half, shooting 15-for-30 from the field and closing to 62-57 with a minute left. Hollowell, Markus Crider and Williams made 6 of 6 free throws down the stretch.

Wesley Person led Troy with 21 points.