Smith scores 23 to lead Georgia Southern

STATESBORO, Ga. (AP) Ike Smith scored 23 points on an efficient 9 of 12 shooting from the field and Georgia Southern bounced back from a 2 point season opening loss to North Carolina State to rout NAIA Coastal Georgia 92-43 on Monday night.

Smith added six rebounds and hit 4 of 5 free throws. B.J. Gladden added 15 points and five boards for the Eagles (1-1), who shot 54.7 percent from the field while holding Coastal Georgia to just 23.1 percent.

Georgia Southern trailed briefly in opening minutes, but Devonte Boykins made a layup which gave the Eagles an 8-7 lead with 14:10 left in the first half which they held the rest of the way. A Gladden 3-pointer extended it to double digits (30-18) with 3:52 left and the Eagles led by 20 (38-18 at the break).

Brandon Martin scored 15 points for Coastal Georgia. Haylen Washington added 13.