Coach Abdur-Rahim Post-Game Comments (Video)
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OMAHA, Neb. – For the second straight game, the Kennesaw State Owls gave a Power Conference team all it could handle, as KSU led at halftime and was within three points in the final 65 seconds before eventually falling 51-44 at Big East member Creighton Thursday night from the CHI Health Center Omaha. This was the third straight year the teams have met each other in non-conference play, but the first time the Owls made it a game after falling by 35 and 26 the last two seasons.
The story of the game was an impressive performance on the defensive end by the Owls. Creighton scored 90 points in its season opener, but were held to just 22 first-half points, while the 51 total points were the fewest for a Bluejay squad on their home court since Jan. 12, 2016 when they scored 48 against Providence. For the game, KSU held the Bluejays to 38.5% shooting from the floor (20-of-52) and forced 14 turnovers, leading to a 14-8 edge on points off turnovers.
However, the Owls could not keep pace offensively, shooting under 30% in each half to finish 17-of-65 from the field (17-of-65). The Owls did finish with better marks than CU from both three-point range (3-19 for 15.8%) and the free throw line (7-10 for 70%).
FIRST HALF RECAP: An 8-0 burst gave Creighton a 10-3 edge less than four minutes into the game. KSU then only allowed a single free throw over the next four minutes to close within 13-8. It was an 18-14 advantage with 5:59 to go in the half when Nate Springs drained a three from the top of the key to spark a 10-4 Owl run. Spencer Rodgers capped the run with a jumper for a 24-20 KSU lead with 1:30 on the clock, while Creighton added a jumper to make it a two-point game at the break.
SECOND HALF RECAP: The Owls could not buy a shot to begin the second half, missing their first eight shots from the floor before connecting on a Chris Youngblood putback with 11:44 to play. By that point, the Bluejays had jumped ahead to an eight-point edge, and pushed the lead to 10 twice, the last at 46-36 with 5:25 on the clock. The Owls then put on another strong defensive run, forcing three missed shots and three turnovers while going on an 8-1 spurt. An offensive rebound from Demond Robinson made it a one-possession game with 1:51 to play at 47-44. KSU then forced another miss on the other end and nearly tied the game, but Rodgers' three-point attempt was in-and-out of the basket. Creighton went down and scored on a jumper for a five-point edge, and added a pair of free throws for the seven-point final margin.
STAT OF THE GAME: Creighton outscored Kennesaw State 34-20 in the paint.
OWL OF THE GAME: Robinson nearly posted his first career double-double thanks to team-highs of 11 points and eight rebounds. He also added a pair of steals in the game.
NOTES-
- Rodgers was the next highest scorer for KSU with nine points.
- Youngblood finished with seven rebounds, just one game after setting a new career-high with eight.
- KSU turned the ball over just 10 times on Thursday, after committing 24 in the season opener on Tuesday at Iowa State.
NEXT TIME OUT: KSU comes back to Kennesaw for a three-game homestand, starting with the home opener on Sunday, Nov. 14 at 4 pm against Piedmont College.
