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BERKELEY, Calif. – Even with a stellar performance from junior Nigel Pruitt, the Kennesaw State men's basketball team couldn't overcome a potent Cal offense, falling to the Bears 93-59 in the second game of the 2K Classic Benefiting the Wounded Warrior Foundation.
 
Pruitt was good for 16 points during the contest, 13 of those coming in the second half alone, as the Owls fall to 0-2 on the season after the loss to the Bears (2-0).
 
"Nigel is one of our best shooters and he showed that in the second half," said associate head coach David Rivers. "But that has to be the whole game. We need that effort from our guys all 40 minutes. It's about discipline and focus and everybody doing their job and executing."
 
After center Willy Kouassi won his second consecutive opening tip, the Owls found themselves in a 9-0 hole after the first five minutes of play. KSU found its first field goal of the game at the 15:10 mark when Yonel Brown sent in a jumper to cut the lead back to 9-2 Bears.
 
Cal put in two more following the Brown basket, but the Owls struck back as Bernard Morena dropped in a free throw followed by another layup to make it 14-11 Cal.
 
The teams then exchanged a pair of field goals, Morena putting in the tip-in for the Owls, before Cal found its offensive rhythm, going on a 10-2 run to take a 28-9 lead with just over five to play.
 
Pruitt broke the dry-spell for the Owls with a three followed by three more from Delbert Love as the senior put in the triple from the corner, setting things at 36-15 Bears.
 
Cal then put in the final five of the half, taking a 41-15 lead into the break.
 
Pruitt started off the second half with a steal and a fast-break layup, shortly swinging momentum back in favor of the Owls. The Bears then enjoyed a 9-1 run, bumping their lead to 30 for the first time at 55-20.
 
KSU went on to enjoy more second half success from the junior Pruitt, who put in a layup plus the free throw followed by his second three-pointer of the game to set things at 57-26 Cal.
 
Pruitt then hit the layup plus the foul once more, cutting the lead down to 31 after the successful free throw at 62-31 with 13 minutes to play. Love brought the lead back down to 30 with a pair of freebies with just under 12 to go.
 
Orlando Coleman helped bring the lead under 30 with an athletic move under the basket followed by a three-pointer, making it 69-40 Bears with nine minutes on the clock. But Cal responded, sinking a three of their own as the home team closed out the game with a 93-59 win.
 
Pruitt was the top scorer for the Owls with his 16, shooting 6-of-11 from the field with a pair of three-pointers. Love was good for 11 points while Brown tipped in nine.
 
On the boards it was Morena who led the way with seven to go with his two blocks.
 
Cal put four players in double-figures while shooting over 60 percent from the field for the game.
 
Sophomore transfer Alijah Bennett saw his first action as a member of the program, checking into the game late and putting in a layup.
 
The Owls will be back in action this Wednesday, November 19, in a 7 p.m. ET contest at in-state rival Mercer.

To keep up with the latest Kennesaw State men's basketball news follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and @KSUOwlsMBB or by liking Kennesaw State University on Facebook.
 
Season tickets are currently available for all the home court action for the Owls and can be purchased by following the link here.