Feb. 7, 2009
Box Score
KENNESAW, Ga. - With bright spots being few and far between this season, the Owls gave the hometown fans a glowing array of joy at the KSU Convocation Center as they defeated North Florida, 69-65, in overtime on Saturday night.
Trailing, 60-57, with time dwindling down, Kelvin McConnell hit a three-pointer with one second left in regulation to tie the game. North Florida's Zack Riggins missed what would have been the game clinching free-throw with nine seconds remaining.
"Spencer [Dixon] gave me a good pass," said McConnell. "I was glad that my teammates thought enough of me to take that shot."
In overtime it was Kennesaw State (7-15, 3-10 A-Sun) who controlled the final three minutes. With the game tied at 63, the Owls ended the game on a 6-2 run, thanks to Jon-Michael Nickerson.
The junior forward scored the final six points of the night, including a pair of key free throws in the final seconds as the Black and Gold broke their five-game losing streak. The Millbrook, Ala. native also had eight rebounds, four assists, three blocks and three steals in his best all-around game of the season.
McConnell got things started with a three-pointer on the Owls first possession of the extra period. North Florida (5-18, 3-10 A-Sun) tied the game on a traditional three-point play by Cortez Riley, who put up a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds. The Ospreys, however, would connect on only 2-of-7 shots from the field in the overtime period.
After trailing for the first six-plus minutes of the second half, the Owls enjoyed a second-half spark from Artie Marine. The freshman ripped off eight straight points, including back-to-back three-pointers as he single-handedly gave Kennesaw State its first lead of the second half, 45-43, with 12:06 left.
"There is no doubt Artie sparked us," said Kennesaw State head coach Tony Ingle. "We always knew he could do it and it was great to see another freshman step us and help our team."
North Florida missed 11-of-19 free throws in the game, including four crucial shots, three by Riggins, in the final 30 seconds. The Owls, who handed UNF its second straight loss, made 10-of-15 from the free-throw line.
Both teams had three players score in double figures. The Owls were led by Nickerson's 20 points, while McConnell added 18 and Spencer Dixon chipped in 10 points. North Florida saw Eni Cuka score a game-high 20 points, 11 in the first half, while Stan Januska scored 14 points with Riley adding 13.
The Owls will be back in action on Monday evening when they host Jacksonville at 7:30 p.m. at the KSU convocation Center. The game can be seen live on ASUN.TV and can also be heard on ESPN 1230-WFOM. Craig Corbin (play-by-play) and Scott Webb (color analyst) will bring all the action.
