Georgia Southern Soars Past Georgia State in Sun Belt Opener

Thursday, December 18

Statesboro, GA

8 PM

Georgia Southern University

9-5,1-0Sun Belt

Georgia State

2-10,0-1Sun Belt

Georgia St.

Ga. Southern

Georgia Southern Soars Past Georgia State in Sun Belt Opener

12/18/2025 10:52:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

STATESBORO – Georgia Southern men's basketball (9-5, 1-0 SBC) used a strong defensive effort and balanced scoring to open Sun Belt Conference play with a 90-67 victory over Georgia State (2-10, 0-1 SBC) on Thursday evening at the Jack and Ruth Ann Hill Convocation Center.

The Eagles raced to a 44-41 lead at halftime and pulled away in the second half behind efficient shooting and active defense. Georgia Southern forced multiple turnovers and outscored the Panthers 46-26 after intermission.

Alden Applewhite paced the Eagles with 19 points, and Spudd Webb added 16 as part of a four-player double-figure scoring attack. Shainen Carter chipped in 12 points, while Khayri Dunn added 16. Nakavieon White scored 14 points off the bench on 3-of-5 shooting and a 5-of-6 evening at the stripe.

Georgia Southern shot 37.1 percent from three-point range (13-of-35) and made 31-of-35 (88.6%) free throws. The Eagles also dominated at the line, outscoring Georgia State 31-10 from the line.

The Eagles bench produced 33 points, and Georgia Southern finished with 27 points off turnovers. The win extends the Eagles winning streak to six games, pushes the home winning streak to nine games (six this season) and 14-3 all-time at The Hill.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Spudd Webb opened the scoring for the Eagles after winning the tip, splashing his 100th career three-pointer.
Georgia Southern grew its lead to 19-11, after Alden Applewhite collected 10 points in the first nine minutes of action.
The Panthers cut into the Georgia Southern lead, erasing an 11-point deficit and tying the ballgame with just under nine minutes to play, 22-22.
The Eagles closed the half on a high note, as Nakavieon White knocked down the ninth triple of the first half, giving Georgia Southern a three-point advantage at the break, 44-41.
Despite not making a field goal for the over two minutes, the Eagles pushed their lead to 54-45 at the foul line, going 4-of-5 from the stripe.
Georgia Southern opened a 16-2 run over the span of nearly six minutes, pushing its lead to 20 points, 67-47.

NOTES

Five Eagles finished in double figures on Thursday evening, as Alden Applewhite led the way with 19 points. Spudd Webb and Khayri Dunn added 16 a piece, Nakavieon White tallied 14 and Shainen Carter posted 12.
Georgia Southern men's basketball extended the home winning streak to nine games, including a perfect 6-0 record at The Hill this season. All-time, Georgia Southern is 14-3 inside the friendly confines of the Jack and Ruth Ann Hill Convocation Center.
The Eagles converted on 31 free throws on Thursday evening, tallying the most made this season and the most under head coach Charlie Henry.

UP NEXT

Georgia Southern men's basketball continues the opening weekend of Sun Belt Conference play, hosting James Madison on Saturday evening at the Jack and Ruth Ann Hill Convocation Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m.