KSU vs Jacksonville Box Score (PDF) | Postgame Press Conference
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KENNESAW, Ga. – Senior
Terrell Burden scored a game-high 28 points while classmate
Demond Robinson grabbed a career-high 16 rebounds, as Kennesaw State outscored Jacksonville 9-2 over the final 3:28 to claim a 66-61 Atlantic Sun Conference victory on Wednesday night from the Convocation Center. The win not only snapped a six-game losing streak for KSU, it was also the Owls' (14-12, 5-7 ASUN) first two-game season sweep over the Dolphins (13-13, 4-8 ASUN) since the 2014-15 season.
STAT OF THE GAME: Kennesaw State won the game in an area it has struggled at this season, at the free throw line. The Owls would connect on 20-of-25 at the charity stripe, highlighted by Burden's 10-of-13 performance. JU meanwhile struggled at the line, hitting just 7-of-18, including only 5-of-14 after halftime.
THE FIRST HALF: It was a defensive battle in the first half, as the Owls held Jacksonville to just four made field goals in its first 23 attempts. That allowed KSU to open up a 12-point edge after going on a 20-4 run over a nine-minute stretch.
Simeon Cottle's layup capped the run, giving KSU a 25-13 advantage at the 4:16 mark. All of a sudden the Dolphins found some offense, reeling off eight points over the next two minutes, and they closed within three in the final minute. Burden was then fouled taking a three-pointer in the final second of the half, and connected on all three attempts at the line for a 32-26 halftime advantage.
THE SECOND HALF: A 7-0 run early in the second half gave the Dolphins the edge back at 41-37. It was still a four-point edge until Cottle drained a trey at the 11:15 mark to bring KSU within 43-42. It was a tight battle the rest of the way, with the lead changing hands several times, while neither team held more than a single possession advantage until the final seconds of the contest. JU went up 59-57 on an offensive putback with 3:28 on the clock. That would be their last field goal for the next three minutes. Burden made one free throw at 2:41 to close within 59-58, before
Rongie Gordon sank a short jumper in the paint for a 60-59 lead at 1:40. The Dolphins came up short on their next two possessions, before Burden made a driving layup with 29 seconds left for a 62-59 lead. JU missed a trey on the next possession, and Robinson finished off a fast break dunk for a five-point lead to essentially seal the game.
NOTES
-Cottle joined Burden in double-figures with 11 off the bench, while Robinson added eight points to go with his 16 rebounds, which ties for the 11
th-most ever in a game by an Owl.
-The Owls finished with a 40-38 advantage on the boards, and held a 13-7 lead on second chance points.
NEXT TIME OUT: The Owls will host Senior Night on Friday when they host North Florida in a 7 p.m. contest in the Convocation Center. Burden, Robinson,
Armani Harris and
Cole LaRue will all be honored before the game.
