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KENNESAW, Ga. – Tyler Hooker tied the DI single-game record with 36 points as the Kennesaw State men's basketball team outlasted Stetson 83-82 for a dramatic senior night victory to clinch the final spot in the ASUN Tournament.
 
How it happened: Hooker set the tone for the Owls (6-25, 3-13) early with a three-pointer to open the game. Stetson (7-24, 3-13) and KSU traded buckets before a 10-2 run gave the Owls a 15-6 lead at the 15:33 mark.
 
The Hatters pulled it close with an 8-2 run, but KSU managed to maintain its lead answering Stetson shot-for-shot. A quick 6-0 run for the Owls earned them their largest lead of the game, 34-22, with just under 10 minutes to play, but a 13-1 run brought the Hatters back within one, 36-35, with 5:37 to go.
 
Stetson earned its first lead of the night, 40-39, following a three-pointer from Leo Goodman. KSU eventually tied the game at 44, but three made free throws from the Hatters gave Stetson the lead at halftime 47-45.
 
The Hatters came out fired up to open the second half, netting back-to-back treys for an 8-0 run to push their lead to 55-46. After trading buckets throughout the early portion of the second period, KSU finally managed to make it a one possession ballgame, 66-64, following a 7-0 run.
 
The Owls retook the lead, 71-70, with nine minutes to go after a 7-0 run. The two teams proceeded to trade the lead with Stetson holding a slim 82-81 advantage with just under four minutes to play.
 
After a nearly three-minute scoreless drought for both teams senior Kosta Jankovic earned a trip to the free throw line, draining both shots to give KSU an 83-82 lead with a minute to go. KSU fended off two three-point attempts from the Hatters in the final minute to record the win and book its ticket to the ASUN Tournament.

After scoring zero points in the first half, Jankovic was clutch down the stretch scoring all 15 of his points in the second half to secure the win 

Notes: Tyler Hooker scored a career-high 36 points to mark the third time this year he has netted 30 or more points … Hooker tied Yonel Brown's mark of 36 points against Thomas University during the 2014-15 season for the KSU DI single-game record … Jankovic's 15 points marks the ninth time this season he has broken double-figures and only the second time in conference play ... Kyle Clarke went out with a bang on his senior night as well, recording eight points while tying his career-high with seven rebounds … KSU's 48.4 shooting percentage against Stetson ties its second-best shooting performance of the season … with the win, the Owls have secured a berth in the ASUN Tournament for the fifth year in a row … With his 36 points scored, Hooker jumped from ninth to fourth on the KSU single-season record list for points scored, netting 588 on the year.
 
Up next: The Owls head to Music City to take on No. 1 seed Lipscomb in the ASUN Tournament quarterfinals this Monday (Mar. 4) at 8 p.m. EST.