KENNESAW, Ga. – For the second straight game, Kennesaw State erased a double-digit deficit on the way to a victory, rallying past Winthrop 88-79 Tuesday night at VyStar Arena.
The Owls (3-0) trailed by as many as 11 points in the first half before scoring 56 points after halftime. KSU has now opened the season 3-0 for the second consecutive year, marking the first time in the program's Division I era it has posted back-to-back 3-0 starts.
OWL OF THE GAME
Freshman Levi Ball came off the bench to score a career-high 19 points, knocking down three three-pointers while adding three rebounds and a game-high three steals. Ball finished 6-of-15 from the floor and 4-of-5 at the free-throw line. 2933210
STAT OF THE GAME
Kennesaw State held a commanding 21-2 advantage in second-chance points, turning 14 offensive rebounds into a game-changing advantange.
THE FIRST HALF
Winthrop jumped out to the early lead, scoring the first four points before stretching the margin to 13-4 less than seven minutes into the game. Kennesaw State cut the deficit to three on back-to-back baskets from Avery Thomas II and Kaden Rickard, but the Eagles answered with a 9-1 run to take their largest lead of the night at 23-12 with 9:45 remaining.
Ball helped spark the response, knocking down a three-pointer before adding a pair of free throws as the Owls began to chip away. KSU later closed the half with baskets from Thomas and Jacoby Hill, with Thomas scoring again with 1:07 left to pull the Owls within one, 33-32, at the break. 2933210
THE SECOND HALF
Ball opened the second half with a three-pointer to tie the game at 35-35, and Amir Taylor followed with free throws to give KSU its first lead. The teams traded the advantage several times over the next five minutes before Taylor buried a three-pointer and Ball followed with another from deep to put the Owls ahead 46-42 with 16:21 remaining. 2933210
KSU pushed the margin to seven on a Ball tip-in with 11:49 left, but Winthrop stayed within striking distance and cut the lead to one, 61-60, with 8:24 remaining.
From there, the Owls simply stopped missing.
Kyler Theophile knocked down a three-pointer at the 8:09 mark to begin a stretch in which Kennesaw State made its final eight field-goal attempts of the game. Taylor scored twice inside, Rickard added a layup, Ball converted in the paint and Thomas finished at the rim before Theophile hit another three to make it 75-67 with 3:57 remaining. 2933210
Taylor continued to carry the offense down the stretch, scoring on a layup with 2:02 remaining before adding two free throws to push the margin to eight. Rickard then buried a three-pointer with 2:40 left and later knocked down three late free throws as KSU closed out the 88-79 victory. 2933210
NOTES
- Kennesaw State has overcome double-digit deficits in consecutive games, rallying from 18 down against Austin Peay and 11 down against Winthrop.
- This marks the first time KSU has won consecutive games when trailing by double digits since the final week of the 2024-25 regular season, when the Owls rallied from 11 down for an 85-80 win at Liberty. That was followed by KSU overcoming a 17-point deficit in a 74-70 victory at Jacksonville State in the regular season finale.
- Ball's 19 points were a career high, surpassing the 11 he scored in his collegiate debut against Midway.
- Taylor's 19 points were a season high, and he finished one rebound shy of a double-double.
- Rickard's 14 points tied his career high, while his five assists were a season high.
- KSU placed five players in double figures: Ball (19), Taylor (19), Rickard (14), Hill (11) and Thomas II (11).
- The Owls have now won six straight games at VyStar Arena.
NEXT TIME OUT
Kennesaw State continues its season-opening homestand Thursday, Nov. 12 when the Owls host LaGrange at VyStar Arena. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m., with the game streamed live on ESPN+.
The Champions Fund
The Champions Fund is a newly created, 100% tax deductible, philanthropic opportunity to contribute strategic revenue to Kennesaw State Athletics, with the goal of strengthening our ability to recruit and retain top-tier talent in this new era of collegiate athletics. Contributions to the Champions Fund will help aid in funding student-athlete recruitment and retention, as well as helping the Owls provide competitive excellence through investments in coaching, travel and facilities. The fund will also give an elevated student-athlete experience, including enhanced academic, nutrition, wellness and leadership programs. Donate to the Champions Fund here and help us support our Kennesaw State Owls.
