Nov. 21, 2007
Box Score
MIAMI, Fla. - Ronell Wooten scored a season-high 25 points to lead Kennesaw State, but the Owls fell to Florida International, 83-74, on Wednesday night at Pharmed Arena.
Kennesaw State (1-4) overcame an eight-point halftime deficit in the first six minutes of the second half as they built a two-point lead by beginning the half on a 12-3 run.
A basket by Keonte Keith (3-for-5) gave Kennesaw State a 37-36 lead, their first since Keith scored off the opening tip less than 10 seconds into the game.
After Wooten (8-for-18) hit a pair of free-throws to give the Black and Gold a 41-39 lead, Florida International (2-0) roared back with 10 consecutive points to build a 49-41 lead with 11:52 left to play.
In the next minute, baskets by Tanner Jacobs (3-for-6) and Shuan Stegall (4-for-14) twice pulled the Owls to within six points, but it was the Golden Panthers who slowly pulled the game away from the Owls.
Florida International scored eight of the next nine points in the next two minutes including a pair of baskets by Russell Hicks (9-for-12) to lead by 13 points. The Golden Panthers would build their lead to as many as 18 points over the next three minutes as the Owls dropped their second straight game.
KSU would put together one last flurry in a three-minute span late in the game when six free-throws, a three-pointer by J.D. Pollock (3-for-6) and a pair of lay-ups by Wooten brought KSU to within eight points with 2:22 left. However, the Owls could get no closer than seven points over the final two minutes.
Stegall had 13 points for KSU while Pollock added 10 points. Florida International had four players score in double figures led by Alex Galindo (5-for-9) who had a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
The Owls defense had 16 steals in the game including six by Pollack who had his best game as an Owl. Stegall had seven rebounds (four defensive) two blocks and two steals in a strong defensive effort.
Kennesaw State will be back in action on Saturday evening when they host Florida A&M at the KSU Convocation Center at 7:30 p.m.
