Mendez scores 29, Georgia State holds off late rally in win

ATLANTA - Leonard Mendez scored 29 points and Rashad Chase added 17 points and 16 rebounds and Georgia State held off a late rally to beat Troy 97-92 on Saturday.<br /> <br /> The Trojans (1-3) fell behind 27 points early in the second half before mounting their comeback. Troy cut the lead to three points with 17 seconds left in the game.<br /> <br /> But O'Darien Bassett and Justin Jonus missed a couple of 3-pointers for the Trojans. Then D.J. Jones made a pair of free throws with 5.9 seconds left to put the game away for the Panthers (1-3).<br /> <br /> Mendez, who hit four of his six 3-pointers in the opening half, missed most of the second half with back spasms. Trae Goldston scored 15 points and Kevin Lott added 11.<br /> <br /> Bassett led Troy with 19 points, had seven rebounds and five assists. Jerome Odem scored 17 and Justin Jonus added 16 points in the loss.