By: by Scott Lipsky
KENNESAW, Ga. – A day after the Kennesaw State Owls pulled off a thrilling, one-point victory over the Florida Gulf Coast, the program is still buzzing, not only about the win, but also about the fact that Markeith Cummings and Kelvin McConnell became members of the 1,000 point club on the same night.
Cummings came into the game needing 13 points to get to the hallowed mark, while McConnell needed 18. Leading, 59-55, with 7:15 to go in a game with major Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament implications, Cummings drove to the hoop and was fouled, just missing on a contested layup attempt. He would go to the free throw and knock in both attempts, putting him at 1,001 points for his career.
Less than three minutes later, with 4:22 remaining and the Owls now leading, 64-58, McConnell knocked down a mid-range jumper that would put him at 1,001 points for his career, as well.
Becoming the 12th and 13th members of the 1,000 point club in program history, respectively, the duo could not possibly have taken different paths to the milestone. McConnell, the senior captain on the squad, began his career at Kennesaw State as a walk-on, while Cummings was a highly-touted recruit who has reached the lofty mark with several games to go in his sophomore season.
“I have so much admiration for what Kelvin McConnell has done,” Ingle said. “He came here while we were going through re-classification, and we didn’t have a scholarship for him, but he came and walked on anyway. He’s what basketball is all about, he has heart, he’s cerebral and he’s a smart player. His team attitude is what has made him a special player. I knew he was close to 1,000 points, and I told him, ‘We’re going to do everything we can to get you to 1,000 points, but we have to make sure we’re putting our team in a position to win,’ and he said to me, ‘Coach, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I care about our team’s success more than my personal success.’ That’s what kind of player he is. I think it’s symbolic that he would get it the same night as one of his teammates, and on the same night no less.”
McConnell is extremely thankful for the opportunity he has had over the last four seasons to play for Kennesaw State, and to him, his coach is a big reason why he is now one of the most prolific scorers in program history.
“I’m just so thankful to Coach Ingle for putting his faith in me and for giving me a chance to play here,” said McConnell, who is also second in program history with 205 three-point baskets, his five baskets from three-point range on Thursday a big reason why the Owls were victorious. "I am blessed to be here and it is a great accomplishment, but the win as a team is the most important thing that came from tonight. We are going to fight until the end and never quit. That is what this team does."
For Cummings, scoring 1,000 points as quick as he has is a testament to the talent that the Savannah product brings to the table. After an impressive freshman campaign that included All A-Sun Second Team and All A-Sun Freshman honors, Cummings has gone through anything but a sophomore slump. Entering Friday, the 6-foot-7 guard is second in the conference in scoring at 17.8 points per game, and is the reigning A-Sun Player of the Week.
“What I really admired about Markeith from the moment he started playing for us is that he was being double-teamed every game as soon as he started playing, and that’s not something many people have to deal with playing Division I basketball,” Ingle said. “We’ve really worked hard to get the ball to him in the right spots, and have helped with the full spectrum of his game, playing on the inside, playing on the outside, playing defense. He also does an excellent job getting the ball to his teammates in the right spots, which is something about his game that’s often overlooked. How can you not be incredibly proud of a player who has scored 1,000 career points and he hasn’t even finished his sophomore season?”
Cummings, like McConnell, is proud of what he has accomplished, but understands that it’s all part of a bigger purpose.
"It's great what I’ve done but the season isn’t over. I thank God for the feat, but we have still have more work to do as a team this season."
Cummings, McConnell and the Owls will continue to push forward towards the postseason on Saturday evening, when they host Stetson at 7:30 p.m.
