BOX SCORE (XML) | BOX SCORE (PDF) | HIGHLIGHTS | PHOTO GALLERY

KENNESAW, Ga.  – The Kennesaw State men's basketball team completed the season sweep of the Jacksonville Dolphins for the first time by defeating them 78-65 in the Convocation Center on Thursday, February 12.
 
Yonel Brown stepped up for the Owls scoring 29 points with 21 of those coming in the second half. He went 7 of 10 from behind the arc in the game and was a perfect 5 for 5 in the second half. The aggressive guard also led the team in rebounding with seven.
 
Nigel Pruitt scored in double figures as well with 19 points and he added three assists and two steals.
 
"We're having different guys step up at different times," head coach Jimmy Lallathin said. "Yonel has always been a consistent guy. Nigel is our x-factor. When he has a good game, we're in a good situation. I thought Jordan Jones had a good game. He didn't necessarily do it with stats. I would love for him to be a little more aggressive, but he defended very well on the interior and provided great energy. We keep finding different sparks from guys and that's a big thing."
 
The Owls trailed 51-48 with 11:23 remaining in the game and went on a decisive 15-2 run to grab a 63-53 lead and they never looked back from there.
 
During the big run, Brown had the shooters touch going as he hit three treys to push the Owls out front.
 
The game started with both teams trading baskets up until it was 15 all. JU grabbed their largest lead of the game at 27-19 with 7:02 remaining in the first.
 
The Owls clawed back and took the lead with 3:04 left in the opening frame on a Nick Masterson three pointer. The teams would go into the locker room tied at 35 a piece.
 
The Dolphins took an early lead in the second, but KSU kept them close until Brown sparked them on the run that gave the Owls the lead for good.
 
With this win, KSU moves to 9-17 on the year and 3-6 in the Atlantic Sun Conference. The Owls have won three out of four games and Lallathin was asked in the post-game press conference if he sees his team starting the maturation process it takes to sustain winning.
 
"You're always working on belief," Lallathin said. "We had two guys watch practice yesterday and then talk to the team afterword and they asked them, do you want to walk in tradition or make tradition? I think these guys are still figuring out that we want to make tradition. When we recruited each of them we asked them if they wanted to be the first footprint in the snow, but we also said it's the hardest thing you've ever done, and it is. At the end of the season, we'll take a look at that, but right now, it's enjoy tonight, prepare tomorrow and look forward for a great challenge on Saturday."
 
Like Lallathin said, the Owls will prepare tomorrow to take on North Florida on Saturday, February 14 at 2 p.m.
 
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.