Feb. 16, 2009
Box Score
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Kelvin McConnell connected on four three-pointers and led the Kennesaw State men's basketball team with 18 points as the Owls fell to Florida Gulf Coast, 61-57, in an Atlantic Sun Conference game at Alico Arena.
In a rematch from a hotly contested game in Kennesaw, Monday night's game featured six ties and 16 lead changes. KSU led 57-56 with just over two minutes to go after a lay-up by Zadrian Gibson, but FGCU held the Owls scoreless down the stretch, pulling away for the victory by scoring the last five points of the game.
In the first half, the Owls (7-18, 3-13) jumped out to an eight-point lead, sparked by McConnell's hot shooting from the outside. McConnell started the contest hitting on three of his first four shots, all of which were beyond the three-point line, to help Kennesaw State to build a lead as high as eight before setting for a 32-28 lead at the break.
Points in the paint proved to be a big difference in the contest, as FGCU (11-18, 7-11) outscored the Owls 30-10 on the night. KSU made up some of the difference from beyond the arc, connecting on eight shots from the three-point line compared to just three for FGCU. However, the Eagles went 14-of-19 from the free-throw line, compared to just 9-of-17 for the Owls for the game.
Jon-Michael Nickerson had 10 points while leading the Owls in rebounds with seven. Kurtis Woods added 11 points, going 2-of-4 from three-point range.
Kyle Marks scored a game-high 19 points, going 9-of-10 from the foul line to build upon his point total for the game. Reggie Chambers and Delvin Franklin each had 12 for the home team.
The Owls will return home to face Belmont this Friday night at the KSU Convocation Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
