KSU vs Bellarmine Box Score (PDF) |
KSU Postgame Press Conference
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KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State nearly pulled off a huge rally in overtime, scoring nine straight to go up two in the final seconds before Bellarmine hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer to escape with the 96-95 victory in Atlantic Sun Conference action Thursday night at the Convocation Center. The Owls dropped to 13-9 overall, 4-4 in league play with their third straight loss, while Bellarmine moved to 6-17, 2-6 in the ASUN.
STAT OF THE GAME: The game was lost at the free throw line for KSU, as the Owls shot just 50%, making 12-of-24 for the night. That included just 3-6 in the overtime period. Bellarmine meanwhile was 17-of-22 for 77.3%.
THE FIRST HALF: KSU was cold early, falling behind 21-9 eight minutes into the game. The Owls then found their offense, exploding for 34 points over the next nine minutes. Back-to-back three-pointers from
Demond Robinson would give KSU a 43-36 advantage with 2:44 to play. Those were the final points of the half though for the Owls, and Bellarmine went on a 9-0 run to go up 45-43 at the half.
THE SECOND HALF: The second stanza was back-and-forth with 10 lead changes and three ties. The Knights grabbed a 60-53 edge with 14:35 on the clock, before KSU's 14-4 run put them ahead 67-64. Neither team led by more than two possessions the rest of the half, with
Quincy Ademokoya nailing a three-pointer to put KSU up 83-82 with 3:02 to play. The Knights scored on the other end to go up one, while
Terrell Burden made one of two at the line with 1:16 to tie the game. Neither team would score in the final 76 seconds, sending the contest to overtime.
OVERTIME: Bellarmine raced out to a 93-86 lead with 1:33 to play in the period. Back-to-back treys from Ademokoya and
Simeon Cottle brought KSU within one, while Cottle stole the inbounds, was fouled, and made 1-of-2 to tie the game. KSU would go 1-of-2 at the line on its next two possessions for a two-point lead, 95-93 with eight seconds left, before the Knights' winning shot.
NOTES
-Burden became the 18
th player in Atlantic Sun history to reach 500 career assists, as he finished with 13 to give him 511 all-time. His 13 assists are also tied for the second-most ever in a game by an Owl in the team's Division I history. He added 12 points for third double-double of the year.
-Also in double-figures was Ademokoya with 20, Robinson with 17, Cottle with 14,
Jamel King with 12 and
Rongie Gordon with 11.
-Jusuan Holt just missed a double-double with nine points and a career-high 10 rebounds.
-KSU shot 45.3% for the game (34-of-75), was 15-of-43 from three-point range (34.9%). Bellarmine meanwhile finished 50% from both the field (34-of-68) and from three-point land (11-of-22).
-The Owls lost despite a 34-16 advantage on second-chance points. That was offset by the Owls scoring just six points on points off turnovers, as the Knights turned the ball over just nine times.
NEXT TIME OUT: The Owls are hosting a "Black-Out" on Saturday, Feb. 3, when they welcome Eastern Kentucky to the Convocation Center for a 5 p.m. contest. Fans will receive a free KSU Black-Out shirt, while supplies last. The contest will also be streamed live on ESPN+.
