KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State erased an 18-point first-half deficit and completed the comeback in dramatic fashion, rallying for a last second 71-69 victory over Austin Peay on Friday night in men's basketball action from VyStar Arena.
The Owls trailed 21-3 midway through the opening half before steadily working their way back into the game. KSU finally grabbed its first lead with just 34 seconds remaining on an Avery Thomas II three-pointer, and after Austin Peay tied the game in the closing seconds, Kris Parker drew a foul on an attempted three-point shot with just 0.8 seconds left. After missing the first free throw, Parker knocked down two straight for the game-winning points.
STAT OF THE GAME
Kennesaw State outrebounded Austin Peay 49-34, including a 14-8 edge on the offensive glass, and turned those extra possessions into a 17-6 advantage in second-chance points.
OWL OF THE GAME
Thomas finished with his first double-double of the season, posting 13 points and 10 rebounds while adding three assists, three steals and two blocks. His biggest shot came in the final minute, as after missing seven of his first eight from three-point range, he buried the trey that gave Kennesaw State its first lead of the night at 69-68.
THE FIRST HALF
Austin Peay came out firing, scoring the first nine points of the game before stretching the lead to 13-2 less than five minutes into the contest. The Governors continued to build the advantage and took their largest lead of the night at 21-3 with 10:47 remaining in the opening half.
That was when Kennesaw State began to settle in. Amir Taylor knocked down a three-pointer to begin the climb back, while Parker added a pair of baskets as the Owls slowly chipped away at the deficit. Austin Peay still held a 33-20 advantage with 2:40 remaining, but the Owls closed the half with a 9-1 surge. Antwane Daniels capped the run with a three-pointer with 26 seconds left, sending Kennesaw State into the locker room trailing just 34-29.
THE SECOND HALF
Kennesaw State continued its push after halftime, eventually pulling within three at 47-44 on a Kaden Rickard layup with 10:51 remaining. Austin Peay responded by stretching the lead back to double digits, 55-45, with 9:25 left, but once again the Owls came charging back.
Anthony Enoh scored four straight points before Thomas came up with consecutive steals, including one that he turned into a fast-break layup to make the score 57-51 with 7:37 remaining.
After Austin Peay pushed the advantage back to seven, Parker answered with a three-pointer with 4:49 left. Enoh followed with a dunk, and Parker added a layup to pull KSU within 66-64 with 2:51 to play. The Govs went back up 68-64, but Kyler Theophile answered with a layup with 1:26 remaining to again cut the margin to two.
Daniels then came away with the steal on the other end. Parker attempted to drive to the basket, but after his route was cut off, he found Thomas on the perimeter for his game-changing three. KSU then forced a missed shot on the other end, but the Govs forced a jump ball on the rebound, giving them new life. KSU was then called for a foul with four seconds left, but Austin Peay would make just 1-of-2 at the line to knot the score at 69-69. That set the scene for Parker's heroics.
NOTES
- Kennesaw State improved to 2-0 on the season. Austin Peay dropped to 1-1.
- This was the largest comeback for KSU (18) points since Nov. 14, 2016, when the Owls trailed Brewton-Parker by 21 in the first half before rallying for an 80-74 victory.
- Parker led KSU with 14 points while adding three assists and three rebounds.
- Taylor added 10 points and eight rebounds, including three offensive boards.
- Freshman Antwane Daniels finished with eight points and seven rebounds without committing a turnover in 19 minutes.
- Freshman Kyler Theophile added seven points and eight rebounds in 27 minutes.
- Anthony Enoh was perfect from the field and the free-throw line, finishing with six points and two blocks in 13 minutes.
- KSU outscored Austin Peay 42-35 in the second half.
- The Owls held advantages of 36-26 in points in the paint, 10-2 in fast-break points and 30-10 in bench scoring.
NEXT TIME OUT
Kennesaw State continues its season-opening homestand Tuesday, Nov. 10 when the Owls host Winthrop 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.
