By: by Scott Lipsky
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Senior Day gallery photos courtesy of Tom Baylark
KENNESAW, Ga. – The Kennesaw State Owls fell behind early and would go on to drop an, 88-41, decision to the Belmont Bruins in their regular season finale on Saturday night at the KSU Convocation Center. Seniors Kelvin McConnell and Matt Heramb were honored prior to the game as part of the Senior Night celebration.
The Owls (8-22, 6-14 Atlantic Sun Conference) wrapped up their regular season by committing 23 turnovers and allowing Belmont (27-4, 19-1 A-Sun) to go on a 27-2 run after taking an early, 9-8, lead, to give themselves a deficit that they would not be able to recover from. The Black and Gold missed seven out of eight shots during that span.
“Their defense really bothered us and we had too many turnovers that changed the complexion of the game,” Owls head coach Tony Ingle said. “Against a team like that you have to be within striking distance at all times. We had the lead at 9-8, but we let them go on a 31-6 run to close the half. We couldn't make a shot, couldn't make a pass, all we did was turn it over during that time.”
Kennesaw State trailed, 39-16, at halftime, after shooting just 5-for-20 in the first half, and would get no closer than 22 points the rest of the way. Down, 46-24, with 15:44 to play, Belmont would go on a 10-0 run over the next 3:14 to put the game away, getting baskets from five different Bruins during that time.
Markeith Cummings and Aaron Anderson had eight points apiece for the Owls, who end the regular season having dropped their last five games. Belmont was led by Scott Saunders, who led four Bruins in double figures with 19 points. Ian Clark was the next highest scorer with 14 in the game.
The loss is the sixth straight for the Owls to Belmont, and they are now 2-4 against the Bruins at the KSU Convocation Center.
McConnell and Heramb were both in the starting lineup for the Owls on their final night playing at home. They both received plaques prior to the game with their pictures and one of their jerseys to commemorate their time with the program. Both player’s families were there to celebrate with the departing seniors.
Still up in the air is the Owls seed in the upcoming Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament, being held at Mercer in Macon, Ga., beginning this Wednesday, Mar. 2. The Black and Gold will either be the No. 7 or 8 seed in the tournament, depending on the outcome of Monday’s Florida Gulf Coast-USC Upstate game on Monday evening. An FGCU loss give the Owls a No. 7 seed and will pit them against No. 2 seed East Tennessee State at 9 p.m. An FGCU win gives the Owls a No. 8 seed and will have them face the No. 1 seed and regular season champion Belmont Bruins, with tip-off being at 2:30 p.m.
