STATESBORO - Georgia Southern used a first-quarter 22-4 run to collect a 99-71 win over visiting Fort Valley State University on Saturday afternoon in the Eagles' 2021-22 home opener Hanner Fieldhouse,
The Eagles moved to 2-0 on the season with the win over the Division II Wildcats from nearby Fort Valley, Ga. Georgia Southern Head Coach Anita Howard played for three seasons at FVSU collegiately and it was the first meeting between the two schools since 1983.
Fort Valley State led, 9-6, with 6:27 left in the first quarter after five points from the Wildcats' Kyla McIntosh. Daeja Holmes answered with a three-pointer that sparked a 22-4 run over the final 6:20 of the period, helping the Eagles build a 28-13 lead at the break.
The Eagles forced 20 first-half turnovers by the Wildcats in pushing the lead to 20, 49-29, at halftime. Fort Valley State would only get as close as 18 points the rest of the way.
Georgia Southern placed four players in double figures in the contest, led by Terren Ward's 15 points. Eden Johnson had 11 points - all in the second half - while Taya Gibson also had 11 points. Holmes added 10 points. Fort Valley State placed three players in double figures, led by Torri Myers' game-high 18 points. Jah'ne Brown added 12 points and Diamond Jones chipped in 10 points.
Eagle of the Game
Ward hit 7-of-12 shots from the floor en route to her team-best 15 points. She also grabbed eight rebounds and notched a pair of steals.
Stat of the Game
All 14 players scored at least two points for the Eagles, including freshman walk-on Hannah Fuller, who hit a four-point play late in the first half for her first collegiate points. Taya Gibson's 11 points were her first as an Eagle, as were Maya Banks' two points.
Quotables • HEAR FULL POSTGAME COMMENTS FROM COACH HOWARD
Head Coach Anita Howard on the win over the Wildcats
"Of course it's always good to get a win. It was ne of our sloppier wins, but we'll definitely take it. I thought the team played really well in sports. We're trying to still focus on being consistent throughout the four quarters. The only thing we definitely have to clean up is our turnovers. Hats off to Fort Valley State, I wore that jersey before. They came in here and were fighting, giving us all we can handle."
On the 22-4 first-quarter run
"We had to come down. I probably should have brought a needle to pop our heads from coming off the big high of Auburn. But they're young people, they don't understand sometimes how to turn it off and turn it back on. We had to wake up and realize we couldn't just show up and win a game. But we did a good job of regaining our composure and taking the lead."
Next Up
The Eagles host FIU on Wednesday, November 17, for a 3 p.m. midday matinee at Hanner Fieldhouse. Georgia Southern will be attempting to start the season 3-0 for the first time since 1990-91.
