ATLANTA-Georgia State opened the 2018-19 season by defeating Georgia College 78-58 in its lone exhibition game on Thursday night, behind 26 points from senior Malik Benlevi and 17 from senior Jeff Thomas.
Georgia State trailed by as many as 14 points in the first half before Benlevi caught fire and led the Panthers back to tie the game at the half. Thomas scored 11 of his 17 points in the second half to put this one away for the Panthers, who finished the game on a 21-8 run.
Georgia State sat Sun Belt Preseason Player of the Year D’Marcus Simonds, senior Devin Mitchell, and sophomore Kane Williams for Thursday’s exhibition opener.