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LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Kennesaw State and New Mexico State battled to the final seconds, but the Aggies took advantage of a flagrant foul to open up a four-point lead, and a game-tying three-point shot from
RJ Johnson hit the rim, leaving the Owls with a 79-76 setback on Saturday afternoon in the regular season finale for both teams. Despite the loss, KSU (18-13, 10-10 Conference USA) has earned a first-round by in next week's 2026 CUSA tournament, as the sixth-seeded Owls will take on third-seed Western Kentucky on Thursday, March 12 at 9 pm (ET). This year's tournament is again behind held in Huntsville, Ala., at the VBC Propst Arena.
STAT OF THE GAME: The Owls could not keep up with the home Aggies at the line, as NM State was 24-of-29 (83%) for the game, including 19-of-22 (86%) in the second half. KSU meanwhile finished 18-of-26 (69%), and just 11-of-18 for 61% in the second half.
THE FIRST HALF: As the majority of the Owls' games have been recently, this one was back and forth the entire way. NM State held the early advantage and led 12-5 when the Owls went on a 14-3 spurt for a 19-15 advantage with ten minutes to play in the half. A late 9-3 run though would put the Aggies back up 37-33 at the break.
THE SECOND HALF: KSU was hot from three-point range after halftime, knocking down three in the first five minutes to go back up by a point at 45-44. An 8-0 run would give KSU its largest lead of the day, 53-46 with 13:42 on the clock. The Owls still led by five when the Aggies answered with an 11-2 spurt of its own, going up 63-59 with 6:22 to play, a lead they would not give up. KSU did not go away easily, closing within one with just over a minute to play. But a flagrant foul called on the Owls when attempting to box out for a rebound led to three-points for NM State on the possession.
Braedan Lue countered with a three-point play on the other end to make it a one-point game again, and then the Aggies managed to escape the defensive pressure and run ten seconds off the clock before being fouled with five seconds left. They sank both free throws for a three-point edge, and Johnson's shot from NBA range would not fall for KSU.
NOTES
- Lue and
Frankquon Sherman led the Owls with 16 points each. Sherman added nine rebounds.
- Johnson,
Amir Taylor and
Jaden Harris all added 12 points as well for KSU.
- The Owls were outrebounded by a 43-29 margin on the boards.
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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.
