Score: Kennesaw State 73, Lipscomb 57
Records: Kennesaw State (11-19, 7-7), Lipscomb (11-20, 7-7)
Key Players: Kendrick Ray (26 points and 10 rebounds), Nigel Pruitt (11 points and seven rebonds)
 
 Box Score (XML) | Box Score (PDF) | A-Sun Tournament Bracket
 
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Kennesaw State secured the fifth seed in the A-Sun tournament with a season sweep against the Lipscomb Bisons 73-57 at Allen Arena.
 
Kendrick Ray led the way in scoring and rebounding, recording his fourth double-double of the season with 26 points and 10 rebounds.
 
It was a struggle in the second half to score for both teams, but KSU played tough defense and held Lipscomb to just 26.5 percent from the floor. The Owls also went 17-20 from the free throw line in the second half and at one point scored 11 straight points from the charity stripe to secure the decisive 16-point victory.
 
The Bisons led for 9:05 in the game and it all came in the first half. With the game tied at 27, Ray went on a personal 8-0 run behind two three pointers. The Owls wouldn't relinquish the lead after that.
 
For much of the second half, Lipscomb was within six points, but the Owls free throw shooting extended the lead late to bring KSU's conference record to 7-7.
 
It is the first time that Kennesaw State has had a .500 record in the A-Sun since the 2006-07 and only third time since joining Division I.
 
The Owls opponent in the A-Sun quarterfinals will be Florida Gulf Coast. The matchup will take place on Tuesday, March 1 at 7:05 p.m. and will be broadcasted on ESPN3.
 
On Closing the Regular Season Strong
"I'm very pleased with our final results. For us to finish at .500 in the league is quite an accomplishment, but more importantly is how well we finished. Guys did not hang their heads, and they continued to battle. For us to have the success of winning four out of the last five and beating the first and second place teams says a lot. I'm really pleased by everyone's efforts and contributions. Everybody stepping on the floor contributes and we're getting a much better feel for each other. This is a good time to be playing at the level that we're playing at. It's been pretty consistent. We hope we can continue it."
 Kennesaw State Head Coach Al Skinner
 
 Notes
- With the victory against Lipscomb, KSU will be the fifth seed in the tournament. That is the highest seed the Owls have had in the A-Sun tournament in program history.
- This is the first time that Kennesaw State has had a .500 record in the A-Sun since the 2006-07 season.
- Kendrick Ray notched his fourth double-double of the season with 26 points and 10 rebounds. He has scored 20-plus points in four of the last five games and is averaging 23.2 points per game over that stretch.
- The Owls also completed the season sweep against Lipscomb tonight. That's the first time that KSU has swept the Bisons.
- The Owls were 21-24 from the free throw line, making 87.4 percent. That is the highest clip in conference play and second highest mark this season.
- There were three KSU players to finish in double figures. Along with Ray's 26, Nigel Pruitt added 11 and Yonel Brown scored 10.  
 
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.