There wasn't a finer way for Seniors Justin Billingslea and Devin Dickerson to finish the last home game at the Sports Arena. Last Wednesday was Senior night and both big men were given standing ovations filled with great appreciation.
Both Seniors stood with their families as their accomplishments played on the big screen. They were also presented with their respective jerseys framed.
Billingslea and Dickerson are the last of the "Michael Perry" era and have shown great leadership to a team and program that had made the transition from the Atlantic-Sun Conference to the tougher-than-expected Colonial Athletic Association (CAA).
On this Senior night, the crowd as well as the team was infused in the game. These Panther men, this team with an unfitting record of 9-19 never trailed once. Billingslea scored his first points of the night with an explosive dunk that set the tone for the Panthers.
State opened with a 12-2 run in the first half. They would lead 23-10 lead midway through the first half but Towson stormed back into the game as the Tigers scored 11 straight points making the score 23-21 with five minutes to go.
With momentum on their side, State answered with its run, knocking down treys by team scoring leader Leonard Mendez and Jihad Ali, and entered halftime leading Towson by 21 points.
Towson scored five of their 36 second-half points in the first minutes to come within seven points at 38-31, but the Panthers hit four straight three-pointers, one by Mendez and three by Goldston, extending their commanding lead to 50-34. The Panthers controlled the second half and led by as many as 25 points in.
The Panthers delivered on senior night, shooting a season-best 59.6 percent from the field, and shot 11-for-19 from three-point range. The Panthers dished out another season high of 23 assists, on 31 baskets.
Our Senior big men are passionate about winning have done all they could and more in instilling focus in a young team. Justin Billingslea made it clear to the team about what they needed to pay attention to.
"We have a young team and we keep talking to them, we tell them to keep focused on the game and for the rest of the season," said Billingslea. "It's been a tough season, and we still have a chance to make it to the NCAA tournament."
Dickerson is second in blocks behind Zavian Smith, who holds the top spot with 128. Billingslea had played well over 100 games for the Panthers.
Last Wednesday's game was a great way to end the season at home.
"It's our last game here and we both love Georgia State, and [to Dickerson] we're like brothers said Billingslea." First year head coach Rod Barnes emphasized on their on and off-court success. "Devin and JB made it known that they came here to play."
Since it is nearing the end of the season I wondered what the big men had to say about what this young team would need to work on for next season.
"The team will need to play hard all time especially with the talent we've got coming in next season," said Billingslea. They need to be focused on being disciplined and if they can do that, they're going to the tournament easy and without a doubt."
The incoming talent that they speak of are: Trey Hampton, Joe Dukes, Dante Curry, Xavier Hansbro and Bernard Rimmer. "They make practice intense, they're good ball players," Dickerson chuckles.
Going out on a winning is a great ending for these outgoing Seniors.
"It means a lot; this is the last time we're going to walk out here like this." said Dickerson.
Dickerson, who entered the season with a knee injury, is a key player along with Justin Billingslea, Ousman Krubally and Rashad Chase in Georgia State's front court.
The Panthers played their final regular season game the Saurday of georgia State spring break and all results of that game and afterwards were not yet available at press time.
The two big men will be missed at Georgia State but next year could bring a new ray of hope for Georgia State so no one should feel to sentimental.
Good luck guys.
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