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KENNESAW, Ga.  – The Kennesaw State men's basketball team enjoyed returning to the KSU Convocation Center on Tuesday, November 22 as the Owls secured its second victory of the season 79-72 over the Alabama State Hornets.
 
Kendrick Ray posted a career high with 33 points and Aubrey Williams secured his fourth straight double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds to lead KSU in the win.
 
"The second half was much improved on both sides of the ball," head coach Al Skinner said. "Defensively, we did a great job of holding them less than 40 percent from two-point range and 10 percent from three-point range compared to the first half where they shot 50-50. Our execution improved and we shot our free throws really well. We maintained ourselves on the backboard so overall it was a very solid game defensively. Offensively, our scoring isn't as balanced as I would like to see it, but it was effective. We're pleased with the win and it's good to play at home." 
 
In the second half, KSU held the Hornets to just 39.4 percent from the floor on 13-33 shooting and 10 percent from behind the arc as Alabama State was 1-10 from outside in the final 20 minutes.
 
The defense was key in a run midway through the final frame forcing two shot clock violations allowing Kennesaw State to take the lead back for good on a Ray slam dunk to go up 54-52.
 
The Owls kept their momentum going a couple minutes later as they went on a 9-0 spurt in 1:55 to push their lead to 11 forcing Alabama State to use a timeout.
 
The Hornets made one final run at the Owls getting to within three with 4:08 remaining, but Ray and the team's free throw shooting was too good. Ray scored 18 of his 33 in the second half and the team was 24-28 from the charity stripe overall and 12-14 in the second half.
 
After moving to 2-0 at home, Kennesaw State's next game will be right back in the KSU Convocation Center against Chattanooga this Saturday at 2:30 p.m. Santa will be visiting The Nest on Saturday as fans can get a free picture with him from 1-4 while the women's and men's games are going on.
 
#NestNotes

• With the victory against Alabama State, the Owls have started the season 2-0 at the KSU Convocation Center. That is the first time the team has started 2-0 at home since the 2014-15 season and only the second time since the team joined NCAA Division I that KSU has won its first two home games of the season.
• Kendrick Ray set a new career high with 33 points against the Hornets. It is the second game in a row the redshirt senior has posted over 30 points and the fourth time in his career.
• Aubrey Williams had his fourth straight double-double this season with 17 points and 13 rebounds. His four double-doubles has matched the season high for last season as Ray was the team leader a year ago with four.
• Kennesaw State won the rebound battle against Alabama State 35-33. This season, the Owls have outrebounded every opponent they've played.
• The Owls led 40-39 at halftime. That is the second lead this season that the team has had a lead at the half.

 
 
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