While the majority of the student population went home for the holidays and had time to relax and prepare for this semester, the Georgia Southern men’s basketball team played nine games and accumulated a 5-4 record. The team is currently undefeated at home.

The break was highlighted by a close loss to SEC giant UGA, where the Eagles played the Bulldogs for the first time since 2001. Redshirt-senior guard Ike Smith led the game with a season-high 25 points. At the half, GS led by three and the second half saw many lead changes. In the end, GS could not pull out a win.

Smith leads the team on offense, where he is averaging about 14 points per game. 

Sophomore guard Elijah McCadden had several big games and has quickly become a fan-favorite over the break. His dunk on a Florida Gulf Coast defender went viral on social media in December. He has averaged 13 points per game this season, which is the second highest stat on the team. McCadden also leads the team with 95 rebounds.

The team fell to rival Appalachian State by two, where Mountaineer guard Justin Forrest’s game winning shot lifted his team over the Eagles.

GS has been averaging around 71 points per game and is currently tied with Georgia State and Little Rock for first place in the conference, though the Panthers hold the best overall record.

Redshirt-junior guard Quan Jackson has taken a more defensive approach than last season and has been the go-to man for steals.

The team hopes to continue their fight for a conference title on the road against a 7-11 Troy team on Thursday and South Alabama on Saturday.

Amanda Arnold, The George-Anne Managing Sports Editor, gasports@georgiasouthern.edu