PORTLAND – A 29-point effort by Corey Allen in the semifinal round of the Sun Rim Conference tournament was good enough to lift Georgia State over Appalachian State 71-66.
When the Panthers came into the conference title game against Louisiana, Allen saw no reason to change his strategy.
Another 29-point breakout from the Senior Guard allowed Georgia State to close out Ragin ‘Cajuns 80-71 and beat his fifth NCAA tournament ticket since 2015. It was also the 10th 3 against Troy.
“It just clicked,” Allen said Wednesday during a media conference in Portland. “I expected it to happen the whole season too, but I’m glad it happened at the right time.”
Allen would have been on the Gonzaga Scout report when the first-round NCAA Tournament matchup took place on Thursday two weeks ago, but it is possible he may have gone up a notch or two after scoring 69 total points in three Sun Belt tournament games for the most outstanding Players to earn honors.
Once the Zags have done their homework, they know the damage can be done to Allen as a 3-point shooter.
In the four games before the Sun Belt semifinals, the fifth-year senior went just 5 for 25 from over the arc, but Allen found his punch against the Appalachian State, making it 6 for 9 before going on to 5 for 6 in the championship game. connected.
In all, Allen made 15 of 28 shots on the field in both games, missed no free throws at the Sun Belt Tournament (19 of 19) and had 16 assists on just two turnovers.
“Corey is special. Corey is a really great player,” said Georgia State team-mate Justin Roberts. “Corey is one of the best players I’ve ever played with, from when I was young until now. To see him score and see him fight a bit, and see how that affects him and then see how he scores 29 points in the last “had two players and then we won the championship and he got the MVP, it just deserved it. So I’m just proud of him and happy for him and also happy for our team.”
Allen’s efficiency numbers, within the 3-point line and behind, have dropped from last season, where he made 44.4% from the field and 42% from 3, but he is more involved as a distributor this year, on average better than three assists. (3.2) for the first time in his career.
With 6-5 Andrew Nembhard and 6-3 Rasir Bolton in the backcourt, the Zags should have the size and length to include the smaller guard of Georgia State, who are 6-2 (Allen) and 5-10 (Roberts) stinn.
Add Comment