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Benlevi carries Georgia St. past South Alabama 90-81
ATLANTA (AP) — Malik Benlevi scored a career-high 26 points as Georgia State defeated South Alabama 90-81 on Friday night. Jeff Thomas added 21 points for the Panthers.
Benlevi hit 5 of 7 3-pointers. He added seven rebounds and five assists. Thomas also had seven rebounds for the Panthers.
Devin Mitchell had 14 points for Georgia State (18-8, 9-4 Sun Belt Conference), which earned its fourth consecutive home victory. Kane Williams added 11 points and six assists.
Georgia State posted a season-high 23 assists.
The Panthers were in trouble after the first half, entering halftime trailing 53-39. But the home team mounted a second-half rally to get back in it and ultimately earn the nine-point victory. The Jaguars' 53 points in the first half marked a season high for the team.
Herb McGee scored a career-high 26 points and had eight assists for the Jaguars (12-14, 5-8). Rodrick Sikes added 14 points. Kory Holden had 12 points.
The Panthers improve to 2-0 against the Jaguars this season. Georgia State defeated South Alabama 69-66 on Jan. 17. Georgia State matches up against Appalachian State on the road on Thursday. South Alabama matches up against Troy on the road next Saturday.
