By: by Mark Toma
Box Score
KENNESAW, Ga. – Markeith Cummings and Kurtis Woods each scored 20 points to lead Kennesaw State to a, 71-60, win over Southern Illinois University Edwardsville on Tuesday night at the KSU Convocation Center.
LaDaris Green had a spectacular night on the boards for Kennesaw State. The redshirt freshman grabbed 18 rebounds, tying the mark for the most rebounds by a freshman in the NCAA this season. The Savannah, Ga. native tied DeMarcus Cousins of Kentucky, Tiny Gallon of Oklahoma and San Diego State’s Kawhi Leonard.
Green had six offensive rebounds and 12 defensive boards and also set the mark for most rebounds in the Atlantic Sun Conference this season and tied former Owl Tanner Jacobs for the KSU Convocation Center record for rebounds set in 2008.
The dunk-induced victory snapped the Owls (6-11) four-game losing streak as the Black and Gold never trailed over the final 18 minutes. Cummings had four slams while Woods added three dunks to lead the high-flying KSU attack.
Spencer Dixon had a solid night, scoring 14 points with five steals, four rebounds and three assists. The sophomore was 4-for-8 from the field and was a perfect 5-for-5 from the free-throw line.
Kennesaw State got off to a slow start as they trailed 6-0 to start the game, going scoreless for the first four minutes until Dixon hit a three-pointer with 15:50 left in the half. Cummings gave the Owls their first lead of the night when he hit a free throw with 4:24 remaining in the first half.
The Owls would trail for only 36 seconds the rest of the game as they twice grew their lead to 12 points. Kennesaw State was aggressive on offense, getting to the free-throw line 32 times, making 24, both of which are season high performances.
Mark Yelovich scored a game-high 21 points for SIU-Edwardsville and Denykco Bowles had a double-double scoring 11 points while grabbing 13 rebounds. Aamir McCleary neared a triple-double for the Cougars, finishing with 13 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.
Kennesaw State will be back in action on Sunday afternoon when they visit Spartanburg, S.C. to battle the USC Upstate Spartans. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. with the game being broadcast live at 920 am WGKA and on-line at www.920WGKA.com. Craig Corbin, play-by-play, and Scott Webb, color analyst, will call the action beginning with the pregame show at 2:30 p.m.
