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KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State could not overcome a poor shooting performance in the first half, despite a big run to close within five in the second half, as the Owls suffered their first loss of the season, 108-89 on Sunday afternoon from VyStar Arena. Both teams moved to 3-1 after the contest, which was being playing in honor of the late Amir Abdur-Rahim, the former coach for both schools.
STAT OF THE GAME: The Owls went into halftime down 56-41 after connecting on just two of 16 attempts from three-point range. KSU also struggled at the line for the second straight game, hitting 25-of-39 for 64%. USF meanwhile attempted 46 total free throws and made 38 for 83%.
THE FIRST HALF: It was a close game in the opening five minutes until USF's J Pinion scored the next eight points of the game to open up a 19-9 edge. The Bulls then closed the half on a 7-1 run for the Owls' largest halftime deficit of the season.
THE SECOND HALF: KSU knocked down more three-pointers in the first 80 seconds than it did in the entire first half. The Owls first five baskets of the half were after three-pointers, with a trey from
RJ Johnson cutting the edge to single digits at 65-56. After the Bulls pushed the lead back to 14 points, freshman
Trey Simpson threw down a huge dunk in traffic, sparking a 9-0 Owl sport. A three-pointer and a layup from freshman
Darius Washington III capped the run, brining KSU within five, 71-66 with 13:30 to play. The Owls were still within distance with 10:29 go play, 79-72 after a pair of Simpson free throws, when the Bulls would go on a 14-5 run over the next five minutes. KSU could come no closer than 13 the rest of the way.
NOTES
-Five Owls finished in double-figures, led by a season-high 25 from
Simeon Cottle.
-Also in double-figures was
Braedan Lue with 12, Johnson and Simpson with 11 each while Perry Smith added 10 points off the bench.
-The Owls finished shooting under 40%, hitting 28-of-71 from the floor for 39.4%, and were 8-of-33 from three-point land (24%). USF meanwhile shot a season-high by a KSU opponent, hitting 31-of-62 for 50%, and 8-of-20 from three-point range for 40%.
-The Owls did hold a 45-41 edge on total rebounds, and 22-18 on second chance points.
NEXT TIME OUT: The Owls are off this week before returning to action in the GEICO Coconut Hoops event, a three-team MTE hosted by FGCU in Fort Myers, Fla., on Nov. 24-26. The Owls will open the event against Rice on Nov. 24 at 4:30 pm, followed on Nov. 25 at 4:30 pm against Oral Roberts, and on Nov. 26 against FGCU at 7 pm.
The Owls Fund
The Owls Fund is the primary fundraising arm of Kennesaw State Athletics with the goal of supporting our student-athletes, coaches and each of our 18 NCAA Division I programs. Through initiatives such as Legacy Lockers, the Dot Martin Scholarship Golf Classic, sport-specific giving opportunities, general donations and season tickets, The Owls Fund connects fans with KSU's programs and student-athletes. Members receive exclusive benefits such as hospitality seating areas and events at Kennesaw State home games, and more. Join The Owls Fund here and discover more opportunities on how you can support Kennesaw State Athletics.
