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KENNESAW, Ga. – Junior
Terrell Burden was nearly perfect Wednesday night from the floor on the way to a game-high 25 points, while
Chris Youngblood added 17 points on his birthday to lead Kennesaw State men's basketball to a second straight win, 83-72 over Central Arkansas at the Convocation Center. After coming out on top in the first meeting between the two schools, KSU moved to 6-5 in the ASUN Conference, remaining in a tie for third place in the East division, and 11-13 overall.
The Owls had come out flat on offense in the first half in their previous two home games, but that wasn't an issue against the Bears. KSU shot a sizzling 65.5% from the floor in the opening 20 minutes (19-of-29), and a Burden NBA-range three-pointer at the halftime buzzer gave the Owls a 51-41 edge. The 51 points was the most scored by the Owls in an ASUN contest since 52 against Stetson on Jan. 14, 2017, in an eventual 84-65 win.
STAT OF THE GAME: KSU just missed out on a school record in the victory, as the Owls' field goal percentage of 62.5% (30-of-48) was just below the 62.7% mark set against Toccoa Falls earlier this season (Dec. 30). Wednesday's performance was a new high for KSU against a Division I squad. UCA meanwhile was held to 40.6% (26-of-64) for the game, 37.9% (11-of-29) in the second half.
OWL OF THE GAME: Burden was unstoppable in the first half, scoring 19 points on 5-of-5 shooting, 2-of-2 from three-point range and 7-of-8 from the line. He finished the night 7-10 overall and 11-of-14 at the line, while adding five assists and four rebounds. His quickness to the basket was the key difference in the first half, as UCA was either forced to foul or watch him go in for an easy two.
FIRST HALF: After KSU opened an early 6-2 edge, the Bears came back with a 12-2 spurt, claiming their largest lead of the game at 14-8. The Owls were initially hurt by UCA's rebounding and second chance points but were able to stay close and would make two game-changing runs in the final eight minutes. Following a jumper from the Bears that put them up 35-31, Youngblood drained a three-pointer to ignite a 9-0 spurt. Burden scored the final four points of the run for a 36-31 advantage with 4:23 on the clock. A 10-2 run, which featured a
Demond Robinson three-point play, a Burden three-pointer and consecutive dunks from
Isaiah Reddish gave KSU a 48-38 lead with 1:22 left in the opening stanza.
SECOND HALF: After an offensive show in the first half, the Owls won with their defense in the second, holding UCA to 31 points after halftime. The Bears came no closer than seven in the second half, at 77-70 with 2:03 to play. KSU would make six-of-eight at the line to close out the game and the win.
QUOTEABLE:
"I was really proud of our guys. We did a great job coming out of halftime, we had missed some shots early, but our defensive intensity and energy was really good. Was disappointed in the 16 turnovers but will take the 17 assists every day. Sharing the ball tonight we were very good."-
Head Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim
NOTES
- KSU's 11 season wins are the most since the 2016-17 squad finished 14-18.
- The Owls' six ASUN wins are the most since going 6-8 in the 2017-18 season.
- Joining Burden and Youngblood in double-figures was Robinson with 11. Reddish meanwhile finished with nine points and a team-high eight rebounds.
- The Owls posted a 33-30 edge on the boards, but turned the ball over 16 times, their most in league play this season.
- KSU finished 6-of-19 from three-point range for 31.6%, and 17-of-23 at the line (73.9%).
NEXT TIME OUT: The Owls close out their homestand on Saturday with a 5:30 p.m. contest against North Florida in the Convocation Center.
