Dec. 22, 2006
Box Score
LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Shuan Stegall recorded his seventh double-double of the season as Kennesaw State put together a strong second half performance as the Owls downed the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, 67-49, on Friday night in the third round of the Findlay Las Vegas Classic at the Orleans Arena.
The Owls (3-8) started the game out slow, trailing by seven at 20-13 with 6:53 remaining in the first half. But paced by a jumper and free throws from Andre Morgan and a three-point conversion from Ronell Wooten, the Owls cut the lead to 23-22 with just over two minutes to go in the first half. The teams traded baskets down the stretch and Jon-Michael Nickerson hit a free throw with :03 left to tie the game at 27-all heading into halftime.
KSU came out of the break with a defensive fervor, forcing two quick UMES (1-8) turnovers. The Owls took full advantage of the Hawks' mistakes, as Stegall converted a three-point play and Morgan and Wooten hit consecutive baskets to give KSU a quick 8-0 run to push the lead to 35-27. After an Antonio McMillion lay-up, the Owls picked right back up where they left off, and stretched the lead to 15 at 50-35 with 9:48 to go.
UMES struggled with the KSU press in the second half and could never manage to get back in the game. The Hawks pulled within 12 after a tip-in by Art Valentine, but the Owls pressure and clutch second-half free throw shooting (72.7 percent) were too much as KSU picked up its third win of the season and snapped its four-game losing streak.
Stegall led all scorers with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Morgan added 13 on 4-of-6 shooting, while Wooten ended with 12 points.
McMillion led the Hawks with 13 points and 15 rebounds, while Ed Tyson also dropped in 13 in the losing effort.
The Owls will wrap-up their time in Vegas by playing Longwood on Saturday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. in the final round of the Findlay Las Vegas Holiday Classic.
