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KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State secured a big 71-66 victory over the Samford Bulldogs in the KSU Convocation Center on Thursday, December 21.
 
With 1:40 remaining in the game, Samford took a one-point lead and Tyler Hooker hit a three on the ensuing possession followed by a couple of free throws the next time down the court to put the Owls up 68-64.
 
With under 20 seconds left and Samford trailing by two, the Bulldogs had two looks to tie the game, but Kosta Jankovic secured a huge defensive rebound.
 
After getting fouled, Jankovic hit one of two free throws and Kennesaw State got one more defensive stop to come up with the victory.
 
James Scott led the team with 20 points on the night and was joined by three other Owls that scored in double figures. Jankovic matched his career high with 15 points as well as five assists.
 
To start the game, Kennesaw State got off to a hot start at the beginning of the game hitting its first 9-13 shots from the floor hitting their first nine two-point attempts.
 
The good start led KSU to a nine-point lead up 25-16 over the Bulldogs, but the Owls cooled off from the floor over the last few minutes of the half.
 
Samford used the opening to end the half on a 6-0 run, but Kennesaw State still led 29-28 at the break.
 
The Owls opened the second half led by Scott and Nick Masterson. The two got the Owls out to their largest lead of the game up 10, but Samford came right back with a 15-3 run to take a 49-46 lead forcing the Owls to take a timeout.
 
After falling down three, KSU tied the score back up at 53 and then held the lead until the Bulldogs surged ahead by one with 1:40 remaining. That's when Tyler Hooker took over running off five straight points and leading the Owls to a victory.
 
Kennesaw State went 2-1 on its three game home stand with victories over Samford and Bethune-Cookman.
 
KSU will now take a little break for the holidays before traveling to Mercer for a game on December 28.

#NestNotes

• With the victory, Kennesaw State finished the home stand 2-1 with victories over Bethune-Cookman and Samford. Tonight was the third victory overall for the Owls this season.
• Scott led the way with 20 points. It was the second game in a row he has had at least 20 points.
• Jankovic matched his career high with 15 points on the night. He went 7-11 from the floor and was 3-3 from the free-throw line.
• Masterson finished the game with 12 points on 5-9 shooting. He scored 10 of his 12 points in the second half. In the second half of home games, Masterson has been on fire. In the five games at home he is a combined 17-24 from the floor.
• KSU outrebounded the Bulldogs 36-26 in the game.
• The Owls had 20 assists on their 27 field goals in the game.
• The Owls hit their first nine two pointers from the floor in the game. It led them out to a 19- 16 lead.  
• Kennesaw State played 10 players in the first half and eight of them scored for the Owls.
• The Owls led 28-29 at halftime. It was the third time this season that KSU has held a lead at the break.

 
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