AMERICUS, Ga. — The Georgia Southwestern State University men's basketball team sent a loud message in its Peach Belt Conference opener Wednesday night, unleashing a dominant wire-to-wire performance in the Storm Dome as the Hurricanes surged past Middle Georgia State University, 101-68. Junior
Markel Freeman powered the effort with a game-high 20 points, leading a deep and balanced GSW attack that saw six players score eight or more.
The 33-point victory wasn't just emphatic — it was historic. The Hurricanes posted their largest margin of victory in any game since February 22, 2021, when they defeated Fort Valley State by 46. It also marked GSW's largest Peach Belt margin since January 27, 2018, a 34-point rout of North Georgia.
First-Half Firestorm
GSW (6-1, 1-0 PBC) wasted no time seizing control. The Hurricanes shot a blistering 64.5 percent in the opening half, splashing eight 3-pointers and turning defense into instant offense. Freeman,
JR Jacobs, and
Amir Reaves each carved up the Knights in transition and from the perimeter as GSW stormed into halftime with a commanding 52-24 lead.
Freeman set the tone early, scoring eight quick points, throwing down a dunk in transition, and finishing the half with 14. GSW's relentless pressure forced nine first-half Middle Georgia turnovers and limited the Knights to just seven made field goals.
Depth, Defense, and Dominance
The Hurricanes didn't let up after the break. Jacobs poured in 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting, including four from long range, while Reaves provided 17 points and multiple momentum-swinging plays on both ends.
Matthew Webster nearly tallied a double-double with 10 points and eight rebounds, and
Faustin Phanor brought burst off the bench with eight points, five boards, and several emphatic finishes.
GSW piled up 25 points off turnovers, scored 42 in the paint, and logged 30 bench points, showcasing the depth and balance that have fueled their 6-1 start.
Efficiency Everywhere
The Hurricanes lit up the stat sheet from start to finish:
- 57.6% shooting from the floor — their second-highest mark this season
- 48.3% from beyond the arc (14-of-29)
- Eight players with 3+ rebounds
- Sixteen steals and 24 assists, a season high in ball movement
- Held Middle Georgia to 24 first-half points, their lowest allowed before the break this season
GSW also recorded its highest point total of the season behind a smooth, unselfish offensive flow that repeatedly generated clean looks.
Freeman Leads the Charge
Freeman's 20-point effort marked his highest output of the season and one of his most complete games as a Hurricane. He added five rebounds, three steals, and two assists, controlling tempo on both ends of the floor.
Next Up
GSW has a pair of road games on the horizon with trips to Augusta University on Saturday and Flagler College on Wednesday.
