KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State moved to 4-0 for the first time in its Division I era Thursday night, using a dominant defensive effort to roll past LaGrange 107-54 in men's college basketball action from VyStar Arena.
Kennesaw State controlled the game in nearly every area, outrebounding LaGrange 56-33, scoring 56 points in the paint and getting 63 points from its bench. The Owls also finished with 24 offensive rebounds and 32 second-chance points in the victory.
STAT OF THE GAME
Kennesaw State forced a season-high 31 turnovers and turned those miscues into 38 points. The defensive pressure was there from the opening tip, as the Owls forced three shot-clock violations in the first five minutes of the contest.
OWL OF THE GAME
Trey Simpson posted his first double-double of the season with 16 points and 10 rebounds in just 18 minutes, adding two blocks while going a perfect 6-for-6 at the free-throw line. Six of his 10 rebounds came on the offensive glass.
THE FIRST HALF
LaGrange held an early 9-8 advantage before the Owls took control. Jacoby Hill's transition dunk gave KSU a 10-9 lead, and Levi Ball followed with a three-pointer before Simpson added two free throws to extend the advantage to 15-9.
After LaGrange briefly cut the margin to six, KSU continued to attack inside and on the offensive glass. Simpson's tip-in and a Kaden Rickard putback pushed the lead to 23-11 midway through the half.
The Owls continued to pull away from there. KSU turned a 25-14 advantage into a 31-14 lead behind a 6-0 spurt highlighted by back-to-back transition layups from Kyler Theophile.
Kennesaw State led by as many as 25 in the opening half and took a 53-28 advantage into the locker room. The Owls grabbed 13 offensive rebounds in the first 20 minutes and turned them into 16 second-chance points.
THE SECOND HALF
KSU quickly put the game out of reach after halftime. The Owls continued to pressure LaGrange into mistakes while attacking the offensive glass, extending the margin to 32 at 67-35 following an Anthony Enoh layup.
Simpson added an emphatic putback dunk to make it 69-35, while his three-pointer with 7:03 remaining pushed KSU to 90 points and gave the Owls a 48-point advantage.
Keriawn Berry helped KSU cross the century mark late in the contest, coming up with a steal and fast-break dunk before later connecting from three-point range as the Owls closed out the 53-point victory.
Kennesaw State scored 54 points in the second half while limiting LaGrange to 26.
NOTES
- The Owls scored 100 points for the second time in four games this season.
- Kennesaw State finished with 16 steals, tied for the third-most in program history and the most since recording 17 against Brewton-Parker on Nov. 14, 2022.
- Simpson finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds for his first double-double of the season.
- Theophile and Amir Taylor both added 14 points, while Berry scored 12 and Ball added 10.
- Taylor added eight rebounds, while Tobiaz Tolbert also grabbed eight.
- Zyree Brown handed out a team-high five assists.
- Kennesaw State extended its winning streak inside VyStar Arena to seven games.
NEXT TIME OUT
Kennesaw State hits the road for the first time in the regular season on Tuesday, Nov. 17, as Coach Pettway makes his homecoming to his alma mater, taking the Owls to Tuscaloosa, Ala., to face Top-25 Alabama. Tip is set for 7:30 p.m. (ET), and the game will be streamed on SECN+.
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.
