The Kennesaw State University men’s basketball team completed the season sweep of USC Upstate on Monday night by taking down the Spartans, 75-62, behind a stifling and energetic defense.
The Owls (7-17, 3-5) started hot as they built a quick 9-2 lead right out of the gate. The KSU zone defense was dominant, forcing six turnovers in the first eight minutes of the game that led to multiple transition opportunities.
“This was one of our better games (of the year),” KSU head coach Al Skinner said. “Our defensive effort and our energy was the difference in this game. This was probably the most complete game that we have played this year on the defensive end.”
It was a sloppy first half for both teams as both struggled to make shots, turned the ball over, and committed petty fouls.
KSU leading scorer Yonel Brown hit his first three-pointer of the game to extend the lead to 18-10 at the midway point of the first half. This was followed by a steal that led to a hard-earned layup by Aubrey Williams, who finished the game with 14 points and a game-high seven rebounds.
“We contested shots, gave them no easy looks, and the guys really hustled,” Skinner said. “It helped our rebounding and that was key.”
The Owls made an adjustment defensively that then allowed Upstate to get back into the game. Upstate center Michael Buchanan began to impose his will down low, scoring three consecutive times down the court to cut the deficit to 22-19 with 4:01 remaining in the half. KSU went on a five-minute drought that also gifted the Spartans the ability to get back into the game.
The Spartans took their first lead with five seconds left in the half after a three-pointer from guard Jure Span. This would be their only lead of the game though, as KSU forward Bernard Morena ended the half with a pair of free throws to give the Owls a 27-26 halftime lead.
The second half started nearly identical to the first, as KSU opened up with a big 12-4 run to extend their lead to 39-30 with 15:28 remaining in the game.
The Owls began to catch fire, as Brown and Ray started to take over the game. With the help of Morena, KSU opened the lead up to double digits. Upstate sharpshooter Mike Cunningham also began to find his shot and kept the Spartans within striking distance. He scored 14 points in five minutes to keep the KSU lead at just seven.
But the balanced play and sharing of the basketball was essential in the KSU victory. The Owls regained a massive 19-point lead, following a 12-0 run that included field goals made by four different Owls.
“What is really important is that we got everyone healthy now,” Skinner said. “We have been shifting our lineup and now we have everyone available to us. It gives us different options that we didn’t have before.”
Brown single-handedly put the game away down the stretch by assisting, stealing, rebounding, and scoring his way to a game-high 22 points. Williams also helped seal the deal with clutch rebounds and a pair of free throws in the final seconds.
KSU was explosive in the second half, doubling their shooting percentage from 31 percent to 63 percent to help pick up the confidence-boosting victory.
“The real difference in the first half and the second half was that we were hesitant in the first half,” Skinner said. “They showed a little more patience and moved the ball and that is how we need to play.”
The Owls will look to notch another win this Saturday at NJIT.
