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FLORENCE, Ala. – After a quick start by the Kennesaw State men's basketball team Thursday night, the North Alabama Lions took advantage of KSU's first half shooting woes to build an early lead and down the Owls 65-46 in Flowers Hall.

How it Happened: The Owls (1-25, 0-13) started off hot with back-to-back buckets to take a 4-1 lead in the first two minutes, but eventually cooled off as UNA (11-16, 6-8) rattled off a 14-0 run to lead 15-4. Apart from a pair of free throws from Ugo Obineke, KSU went without a bucket for over five minutes before Tyler Hooker finally ended the drought to make it 19-8 with 12:28 to go in the half.

The Lions took advantage of another cold stretch to extend their lead over KSU before Hooker once again got the Owls going with a bucket to spark a quick 6-2 swing and cut the lead to 29-14 at the 5:39 mark. KSU found its rhythm in the final minutes of the first half, closing out the period on a 6-0 run to cut the deficit to 33-20 at the break.

That momentum would swing in UNA's favor to open the second half as the Lions drilled a three-pointer to open the period, marking the first of three straight treys for UNA to build the lead back to 42-23. Obineke responded with a three-pointer of his own at the 13:45 mark, scoring seven of his 11 points in the second half, as the Owls attempted to cut the lead to single-digits.

C.J. Washington got the Owls within 15, 54-39, following another three-pointer with 7:34 to go, but North Alabama followed that up with a 7-0 run to push its lead back out to 61-39. Bryson Lockley and UNA traded baskets in the final minutes before Hooker recorded the final points of the game, sinking a three-pointer with a minute left to give him 10 points and earn the final score of 65-46.

Quotes: Head Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim
On KSU's offensive production...
"Offensively, we played back on our heels and, for most of the game, very selfishly only having three assists on 16 made field goals. Towards the end of the first half and to start the second half I thought our energy defensively was very consistent and how we want it to be. We have to do a better job of sharing the ball offensively as we head to Jacksonville on Saturday."

Notes: Tyler Hooker and Ugo Obineke's 10+ points marked the third time in the last four games both players have hit double-digits … Jamie Lewis recorded eight points in 12 minutes of action … Drew Romich led the team with eight rebounds while scoring a career-high three points … UNA out-rebounded KSU 45-24.

Up Next: The Owls head to Jacksonville for their final road game of the season, taking on the Dolphins Saturday evening at 6 p.m.