Nov. 18, 2008
Box Score
KENNESAW, Ga. - Sophomore point guard Kelvin McConnell scored a career-high 31 points to lead Kennesaw State to a, 70-60, win over Clark Atlanta on Tuesday evening at the KSU Convocation Center.
The Owls (2-1) moved over the .500 mark for the first time since becoming a Division I member with the 10-point win over the Panthers as they never trailed after rallying from a nine-point deficit midway through the first half.
McConnell tied his career high for points in the first half as he was blistering hot from the perimeter. The Smyrna, Ga. native scored 20 points on 6-for-7 shooting including connecting on 3-of-4 three-pointers and going a perfect 5-for-5 from the foul line.
"Kelvin played a very good game tonight," said head coach Tony Ingle. "Aside from his scoring, I was especially proud of how he handled the team. He played with confidence, composure and was a true leader tonight."
The Owls trailed, 19-10, with 10:22 left in the half before ripping off a 10-0 run over the next three minutes. Kennesaw State would finish the first half on a 25-9 run as they shot 46 percent in the first stanza.
"We really grew a lot tonight as a team," said McConnell. "I thought we battled together, stayed calm and did everything we needed to do to come away with a win."
Kennesaw State had a 15-point lead early in the second half and keep the lead over eight points for the first 10 minutes of the second half. The Panthers (0-1) were able to make it a one-possession game at the 6:38 mark on a Kevin Johnson jumper and then again with 2:07 left to play when Garry Beverly made two free throws.
However, McConnell, who made 13-of-14 free throws on the night, sealed the game by making eight straight free throws over the final 1:37 seconds. McConnell had the second-highest scoring night in the history of the KSU Convocation Center, three-points away from Golden Ingle's 34-point performance in December of 2005.
Jon-Michael Nickerson picked up Owls first double-double of the season with a 15-point, 12-rebound game. It also marked the third straight game that Nickerson scored in double figures. The junior also blocked a career-high four shots.
The Owls will begin their first road trip of the season on Friday evening as they travel to Virginia to play James Madison. Tip-off is scheduled or 7:30 p.m. and the game can be heard live on 1230 WFOM with Jason Hanes and Scott Webb bringing all the action.
From the Nest
Jonathan Whipple went 3-for-5 from the field, marking the third consecutive game in which he has shot over 50% from the field ... J.D. Pollock led the owls with six assists, it is the first time this season that Spencer Dixon has not topped the Owls in steals ... Nickerson's four blocks ties the KSUCC record for blocks by a Kennesaw State player.
