ATLANTA (Interstat) — The Arkansas State Red Wolves used a dominant second-quarter surge to overcome a slow start and defeat the Georgia State Panthers 69 to 61 in a Sun Belt Conference women’s basketball game Thursday afternoon at GSU Sports Arena.

A crowd of 6,762 saw the visiting Red Wolves, now 19-4 overall, weather an early offensive barrage from the Panthers before seizing control with a 26-point second period. Georgia State, which fell to 9-13, opened the game by hitting nine of its first 16 shots from the floor and led 23-15 after one quarter.

The game’s decisive shift came in the second frame, where Arkansas State’s defense clamped down. The Red Wolves held Georgia State to just seven points on 2-of-15 shooting while forcing eight turnovers. That defensive intensity fueled a 20-2 run that turned an eight-point deficit into a 10-point lead. Arkansas State guard Crislyn Rose, who finished with a team-high 14 points and five assists, keyed the run with six points during the stretch. Reserve guard D’Arrah Allen also provided a spark off the bench, hitting a pair of three-pointers in the first half as the Red Wolves built a 41-30 halftime advantage.

The most important part of the game was Arkansas State’s comprehensive defensive response after the first quarter. The Panthers’ early 23-point output, fueled by crisp ball movement and efficient interior scoring, threatened to give the home team a commanding lead. Arkansas State’s adjustment, which included increased ball pressure and better rotation, completely disrupted Georgia State’s rhythm. The Panthers’ seven-point second quarter was their lowest-scoring period of the season and represented a 16-point swing from the first. This defensive stand provided the foundation for the comeback and established a lead the Red Wolves would not relinquish, despite Georgia State’s efforts to rally in the second half.

Georgia State attempted to mount a challenge after halftime, cutting the lead to six points on several occasions in the third and fourth quarters. Each time, Arkansas State found an answer, often through its work on the offensive glass. The Red Wolves secured 18 offensive rebounds, leading to 16 second-chance points and helping offset a poor shooting afternoon overall. Arkansas State shot just 39.1 percent from the field and 21.9 percent from three-point range.

Forward Yves Cox anchored the interior effort for Arkansas State with nine rebounds and two blocked shots in just 18 minutes. Wynter Rogers added eight points and six rebounds, while Zyion Shannon and Mia Tarver each contributed five points and five rebounds.

For Georgia State, Morgan Robinson-Nwagwu posted seven points and eight rebounds. Crystal Henderson led the Panthers in scoring with 10 points, adding five rebounds and three assists. Ari Dyson filled the stat sheet with nine points, six rebounds and three assists, and Cheyenne Holloman had five points, five rebounds, a block and a steal.

Despite making a late push, Georgia State was hampered by its own shooting struggles, connecting on only 33.3 percent of its field goal attempts and a frigid 15 percent from beyond the arc. The Panthers did find success at the free-throw line, making 18 of 27 attempts, but it was not enough to overcome the second-quarter drought.

The victory extends Arkansas State’s winning streak to four games as they continue to sit near the top of the Sun Belt standings. Georgia State, meanwhile, has lost two of its last three.

According to Interstat’s ELO system, Arkansas State entered the game with an 81.40 percent probability to win.

Arkansas State travels to face Georgia Southern on Saturday. Georgia State will remain at home to host Texas State, also on Saturday.