Scores: Kennesaw State 64, Alabama 77
Records: Kennesaw State (0-1), Alabama (1-0)
Key Players: Yonel Brown (34 points and 10 rebounds), Kendrick Ray (17 points and five rebounds)

Box Score (XML) | Box Score (PDF) 

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – In the season opener against Alabama, the Kennesaw State men's basketball team hung tough with the Crimson Tide, but eventually fell 77-64.
 
The Tide jumped on the Owls early taking a 21-5 lead in the first ten minutes, but from there, the Owls weathered the storm. Senior Yonel Brown started to take over scoring a quick five points to get KSU back within 10 points. KSU kept the deficit around there as they went into the locker room trailing by 11.
 
In the second half, Alabama built its lead back up to 17 points at 52-35 in the first five minutes, but the resilient Owls didn't let the Crimson Tide pull away. Back-to-back three pointers from Kendrick Ray and Brown got the lead down into the single digits.
 
The next possession, KSU got it within seven points on a pair of Brown free throws, but that is as close as the Owls would get in the second half.
 
On Monday, November 16, Kennesaw State will play its first game of the FanDuel Legends Classic against LSU at 9 p.m. on ESPNU.

Coach Skinner on the Alabama Game
"In the first half, a lot of our turnovers led to run-outs for them and gave them good opportunities. You have to give them credit for playing the defense that they did. I thought in the second half we did a little bit better of a job of taking care of the basketball, and preventing those run-outs. We also played better defense in the half court. I think the difference in the ball game. In that first eight minutes, we had first game jitters. It took us a little while to settle down."
 - Kennesaw State Head Coach Al Skinner
 
 Notes
- After the first ten minutes, Alabama led Kennesaw State 21-5. Over the next 30 minutes, the Owls outscored the tide 59-54.
- Yonel Brown recorded his first career double-double finishing with 34 points and 10 rebounds. It was the third time in his career that he has recorded at least 30 points in a game.
- KSU outrebounded Alabama 39-38 in the game.
- Kendrick Ray scored 17 points and had five rebounds in his first game in an Owl uniform. He scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half.
 
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.