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KENNESAW, Ga.  – Kennesaw State men's basketball earned their first win of the year against Piedmont by a score of 77-54 in the KSU Convocation Center.
 
Nick Masterson paced the Owls with 18 points going 7-12 from the floor and hitting four threes. There were three other Kennesaw State players scored in double figures on the night.
 
The Owls used a big run early in the second half to get their lead to double-digits, not allowing Piedmont to get back in the game. Kennesaw State shot 53.1 percent from the floor in the second half and held Piedmont to only 27.3 percent shooting over the final 20 minutes outscoring the Lions by 17.
 
To start the game, Piedmont hung around, but KSU stretched out their lead to nine points after a jumper from Tristan Jarrett with 5:22 remaining in the first half.
 
The Lions tightened things back up, but right before halftime Tyler Hooker ran off five straight points to give the Owls a six-point lead at the break.
 
In the first three minutes of the second half, KSU went on a 6-0 run causing the Lions to use a timeout. The Owls lead only grew from there getting as large as 23 before the final bell rang giving Kennesaw State a 77-54 victory.
 
The Owls had 19 assists in the game to only nine turnovers, and their bench outscored the Lions 37-17.
 
Looking for their first win streak of the 2017-18 season, Kennesaw State will travel to play Tennessee Tech on Saturday, November 16 at 7 p.m.

#NestNotes

• Kennesaw State had the same starting lineup for the second game in a row with Kyle Clarke, Nick Masterson, James Scott, Kosta Jankovic and Jordan Jones. The group improved to 1-0 as a starting unit.
• The Owls broke in their brand new gray jerseys for the first time in the KSU Convocation Center.
• Seniors Jones and Masterson combined to score the Owls first 15 points of the game going 7-9 combined. Jarrett was the first non-senior to get points on the board.
• Masterson finished with 18 points in the game hitting 7-12 shots and making four three pointers. It's the first time this season he scored in double figures for the Owls this year.
• Hooker was right behind Masterson with 17 points on 8-14 shooting. He also had five assists for KSU tonight.
• Jarrett scored in double figures for the second time in three games with 14 points.
• The Owls outrebounded Piedmont 45-39 in the game. Jones was the leader for Kennesaw State on the boards with 11.

 
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.