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FARGO, N.D. – The Kennesaw State men's basketball team erased a 23-point halftime deficit against North Dakota State, but couldn't keep the momentum rolling in the second half, falling late, 68-55 in the 2K Classic benefiting the Wounded Warriors Project.
 
KSU led with 7:34 to go in the second after overcoming the first period hole before NDSU ended things on a 13-0 run to take its home-court win.
 
The game was the fourth of four consecutive games to start off the year against 2013-14 NCAA Tournament teams for the Owls, who now sit at 0-4 while the Bison picked up their first win of the young season.
 
"I thought we've started off the fastest we've started off all year," said KSU head coach Jimmy Lallathin. "But then we started settling for too many threes and our shot selection got poor. I was very disappointed in our discipline in the first half. But then the second we came out and did what the game plan was supposed to do and inched back until we took the lead. We just have to eliminate those lulls in the first half."
 
After falling behind by 20 after the first half of play, 39-19, the Owls busted out on an offensive tear, going on a 22-4 run over an eight minute stretch. NDSU picked up a 22-point lead just one minute into the second period, but it was Willy Kouassi who ignited the offense, putting in a jumper to bring the lead back down to 20.
 
Orlando Coleman hit on a three, bringing it down to 17 followed by two free throws from Nigel Pruitt, inching the lead closer at 46-31 with 15:44 on the clock. Freshman Nick Masterson was good for two, his first collegiate field goal, with Delbert Love knocking down the triple, putting the game within 10 points.
 
Masterson then joined Love in the three-point column complete with a basket by Kouassi on the next possession, bringing it down to five with 13 to go. The teams then exchanged field goals over the next  two minutes until Bernard Morena hit two free throws, one for the tie and one for the lead, giving the Owls the one-point advantage, their first lead since midway through the first half.
 
Morena put in two more on a jumper following the charge call on the Bison, but the steam ran out for the Owls as NDSU ended things on a 16-0 run, taking the win on their home floor.
 
KSU shot over 80-percent during their extensive run in the second half, Pruitt going off for 11 points and Kouassi sinking eight during the comeback bid.
 
Kouassi again gave the Owls first crack at the scoreboard, winning is fourth opening tip in as many games. It was guard Yonel Brown that gave KSU the early lead, putting in a three off of the dish from the senior Love in the early goings.
 
The Bison connected on a three of their own just 15 seconds later, but the Owls responded as Pruitt drilled one from 25 feet to put the Owls back up by three.
 
NDSU took its first lead of the game after the first stoppage in play, hitting on two free throws to go up 10-8 at the 14:30 mark before Pruitt again hit one from deep-range, swinging the lead back in favor of the Owls by one.
 
Pruitt then made it 3-for-3 from beyond the arc, hitting his ninth point of the half with 12:59 to go, this time putting the Owls up by two-possessions at 14-10.
 
But a Bison triple would spark what went on to be a 20-3 run over the next 8:04, sending the game into the break with NDSU on top by 20, 39-19.
 
Pruitt put in a season-high 20 points during the loss while Kouassi also finished in double-figures with his 10. Pruitt was good for six of KSU's 11 three-pointers while Kouassi went 5-of-8 from the field with a team-high five rebounds and three blocks.
 
Love handed out a season-high six assists with no turnovers and a steal as the point guard played 38 minutes in Scheels Arena.
 
KSU will be back in action tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. ET to wrap up their five-game season-opening road trip against Alcorn State.

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.