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Score: Kennesaw State 47, Liberty 76
Records: Kennesaw State (3-9, 0-4), Liberty (11-4, 3-1)
Key Players: Chris Youngblood (16 pts, 3 assts, 3 blks), Spencer Rodgers (12 pts, 1 reb) and Nate Springs (6 pts, 5 rebs).
 
THE STORYLINE: 
After a tight first half, the Kennesaw State men's basketball team went cold allowing a hot-shooting Liberty squad to build its lead and down KSU 76-47 Saturday evening in Liberty Arena.

ABDUR-RAHIM QUOTES:
On tonight's game and the difference between the first and second halves...
"I give a ton of credit to Coach McKay, his staff and players on a great win tonight. Their kids have high character, toughness and they're connected. So hats off to them for playing a great game. As far as our team goes, I thought we did a really good job early of executing offensively and sharing the ball. Because of that we were able to get Chris Youngblood and Spencer Rodgers going and weather the storm and go into the locker room with some momentum. The second half we did a poor job of taking the next step and growing. Meaning we were in the same position as last night to make it a game to start the second alf and we didn't answer the bell. Just like last night Liberty made us pay and tonight they kept their foot on the gas. I am going to remain positive and focus on the big picture. I thought this trip we improved but we also found out new things about ourselves that need improvement."

HOW IT HAPPENED:
Chris Youngblood got the scoring going with a three-pointer, but LU responded with an 8-0 run following a jumper from Spencer Rodgers to lead 10-5. The Flames extended their lead to 22-10 behind a 12-2 run before Rodgers' second three-pointer of the night snapped the streak.
 
The Flames pushed their lead to as high as 14 points, 27-13, before KSU began to fight its way back with a 7-0 run to make it 27-20. The two teams traded buckets as Liberty tried to maintain its double-digit lead, but back-to-back three-pointers from Youngblood pulled the Owls within four, 34-30, with just under a minute to play. Both Youngblood (14) and Rodgers (12) finished the first half in double-figures combining to record all five of KSU's three-pointers.
 
Leading 36-30, Liberty extended its lead in the opening minutes of the second half with the first nine points of the period. Alex Peterson finally got KSU on the board with a bucket to make it 45-32 at the 16:49 mark. The Flames outscored KSU 25-6 throughout the first half of the period to lead 61-36. Liberty continued to extend its lead, netting seven three-pointers in the period while KSU finished the half 5-of-20 from the floor.

NOTES
- Spencer Rodgers extended his double-digit scoring streak to 12 games.
- Youngblood recorded a career-high three blocks to go with his 16 points, his ninth game this year in double-figures.
- Nate Springs recorded a season-high six points while tying his career-high with five boards.
- The loss marks the first time in the last seven games KSU has lost by more than 10 points, third time overall.
- Liberty's eight three-pointers is the most allowed by the Owls all season.
- Liberty out-rebounded KSU 39-29, scoring 40 points in the paint compared to 14 for the Owls.
 
UP NEXT
KSU is back in the Nest next weekend, hosting North Alabama Friday (Jan. 15) and Saturday (Jan. 16).

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.