Box Score (PDF)
ST. THOMAS, Virgin Islands – The Kennesaw State men's basketball team fought until the final minutes of the U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam opener, but came up short against Missouri, 55-53.
How it happened: The Owls (1-3) opened the scoring as
Tyler Hooker recorded three points the hard way. Missouri pulled in front, 6-5, but back-to-back treys from Hooker and
Kosta Jankovic gave KSU a five-point cushion.
The teams proceeded to trade buckets with seven lead changes halfway through the period. The Tigers eventually built a six-point lead following a 7-2 run to make it 23-17 at the 9:14 mark. KSU pulled back to within three, 25-22, following five straight points from freshman
Pietro Agostini off the bench.
Missouri then proceeded to go on a 9-1 run to earn its largest lead of the half, 34-23, with 5:04 left to play. KSU got back within striking range, closing out the first half on a 9-2 run, capped off by a three-pointer from Hooker, to trail MU 36-32 at halftime.
Bryson Lockley put the team on his back to open the second half scoring five of KSU's seven points to open the half. Lockley gave the Owls their first lead since the opening minutes, draining two free throws to make it 39-38 at the 13:42 mark. KSU held the Tigers to only two points throughout the first eight minutes, forcing six turnovers.
Kennesaw State regained the lead at the 8:02 mark after
Kyle Clarke found Jankovic behind the arc to put the Owls on top 44-42. KSU pushed its lead to four points with 7:24 to go after Parker knocked down a pair of free throws to make it 46-42, Owls.
Mizzou took the lead for the final time at 4:59 (48-47), but the Owls did not go away. Kennesaw State tied up the game at 50 points after Clarke found Jankovic for a jumper. The Tigers broke the tie with a pair of free throws to go up 52-50 with a 1:42 in the game and Kennesaw State could not recover.
Notes:
Pietro Agostini with a career-high five points …
Tyler Hooker and
Kosta Jankovic each hit double-figures for third time in the last four games with 13 points, respectively …
Isaac Mbuyamba led the team with nine rebounds...
Kyle Clarke dished out a team-high three assists... Hooker, Mbuyamba and
Antonio Spencer all swatted a Tiger shot... Lockley led the team with a trio of steals.... Clarke ended with 10 points
Up Next: The Owls continue play in the U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam Tournament against either Oregon State or Old Dominion on Saturday or Sunday.
