MOBILE, Ala. – Despite Michael Flowers tying his season-high 32 points, the University of South Alabama men's basketball team fell to Georgia State, 84-81, Friday night at the Mitchell Center.

South Alabama (16-9, 10-6) shot over 40 percent from behind the arc. Flowers full stat line was a season-high 32 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals. Kayo Goncalves chipped in 19 points on 6-of-12 shooting from three-point range with a pair of assists. Jamal West ripped down 10 rebounds for the home side to lead the Jags.

GSU's (13-5, 7-4) Evan Johnson poured in 28 to pace the visiting side on 6-of-9 from behind the arc. Eliel Nsoseme registered a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds coupled with a pair of blocks.

GAME FACTS
- GSU jumped in Front (15-6) after three panthers connected on a three in four possessions.
- The Jags tied the game at 15 with 12:54 remaining in the first half on the precision of three threes on three possessions, all drained by Goncalves.
- GSU pushed back in front with an 8-0 run over a minute and 59 seconds to answer the Jaguar surge to go up 23-15 prompting USA to use a timeout with around the 11-minute mark of the first 20.
- USA 8-0 run to push into the lead (36-33) capped by a Locure three with 3:23 left in the half. Flowers, who assisted Locure on the three, scored the other five points on the run.
- South took a one-point lead into the halftime break after Pettway made a driving layup with 31 seconds on the clock with the defense making a stand as the remaining time expired.
- The visitors pushed back in front after outscoring the Jaguars 11-5 to start the second half. Johnson led the Panther effort with a three and a layup.
- GSU's Johnson sank a three to put the visitors in front by 12 the largest lead of the contest for either team, 74-62, with 5:02 left on the clock.
- The Jags comeback fell short (84-81) as Locure forced a turnover with under three seconds remaining, but were unable to get off a desperation shot to attempt to tie the game.
- The Panthers outscored the Jags in bench production 36-2, with 28 coming from Johnson.
- GSU held the edge in fast-break points 17-8
- South won the turnover battle 14-10
- Both offenses were in rhythm as the Jags made 15 assists on 26 made baskets, and the Panthers registered 20 assists on 27 baskets.

NOTES
- Georgia State has won 14 of the last 17 games in the series with South Alabama, but the teams have split the last two meetings with the visiting team winning each.
- This loss snaps an eight-game win streak for USA.
- The result also ends 14 consecutive wins in the month of February
- Flowers tied his season high with 32 points, scoring more tonight than in his last two games combined.
- Goncalves has scored a combined 37 points over the last two games, setting a new season high in tonight's game.
- West recorded double-digit rebounds for the fifth time in Sun Belt Conference play.

THEY SAID IT
Head Coach Richie Riley
Opening Statement:  "Just a disappointing effort on our part, they deserve to win the game. They made plays when they needed to all night long, I thought they played harder than us. They deserve to win, they came in here and closed out the game. The things that lead to us being in this position we didn't do tonight. We didn't defend the way we have been defending. It was the first time we've given up this many points up in a long time. There's been two games combined in this winning streak that we've given up 84 points. It wasn't only mental errors it was effort errors. Our effort was not there, we played very similar to what we played when we were struggling. We got into a friendly hooper game with theses guys and they have a ton of talent. That's not how we beat them in Atlanta, it was 70-67 we made things tough on them, we made them earn things, we didn't get into a run up and down and jack up shots game. Tonight we did, and we can't do that tomorrow if we're going to win the game."
On the closing seconds: "We've got unbelievable kids, our kids they care about what we're doing, they care about winning. They wanted this game more than you can imagine. There's a difference in wanting it and then being willing to go out there and do what you got to do to have it. The moment was a little big for some of them I think. It was the first time a lot of these guys have been in that moment, we have guys on our team that have won championships. Anyway you cut it this was for a regular season championship. The moment was a little too much for us at times, we missed some timely shots we normally make from really good shooters, we made mistakes we normally don't make. I can't over-emphasize how much of a special group of kids we have, win, lose or draw they are a special group of people who have bought in to what we do here, they've been through so much adversity."
On Michael Flowers: "He's one of the best guards in the country period. Special kid, he's had a lot of weight on his shoulders this year. He hasn't blinked, his toughness, his scoring ability and passing ability makes him a tremendous player. Undoubtedly the leader on this team."
On his bench: "We got tough dudes, our guys know we only have eight scholarship players available. We're basically playing six guys and we stretch to seven for minutes at a time when we can. It's the only way we've been able to play all year. It's one of the reasons I give out kids so much credit, they haven't used that as a crutch all season long. They've fought, they've worked on getting better, and they bought in to the process of what we do. If you can't get up for a close-out game seven, that's
essentially what it is game seven, you're probable playing the wrong sport."

Up next: South Alabama will honor Michael Flowers on senior night as the team plays one more time at the Mitchell Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m., and the game will be available on ESPN+.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/WeAreSouth_JAGS. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

Join the South Circle, the unrestricted giving option of the University of South Alabama Athletics. Contributions to South Circle directly support all 17 sports in addition to various support programming. For more information on how you can join visit: http://jaguarathleticfund.com/give