The Owls start the 2022-23 season 1-0 after a resounding 99-56 victory over LaGrange College at the KSU Convocation Center.
These two teams haven’t played against each other since the 1995 season when KSU held a 13-6 lead over the Panthers. They added one more win to this total 27 years later to improve to 14-6 all-time.
The Panthers started off the game hot opening up a 22-15 lead early in the first half. The Owls overcame their slow start and jumped ahead at the five-minute mark of the first half and never trailed for the rest of the game. They opened the second half with a 20-2 run that sealed the game.
“Not the first half we wanted, though some of it was expected, the first time we’ve played in front of a crowd this season, we had a little nervousness and overthinking,” Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim said. “Really proud of how we responded though and felt we got back to our brand of basketball. I thought our ball energy was really good tonight, we shared the ball well, and defensively our ball pressure was on, to the point where we were doing what we had practiced. And our bench energy was really good in the second half as well.”
Junior Chris Youngblood had a team-high 20 points and eight boards, including going 4-5 from three-point territory. Senior Terrell Burden was close behind as he poured in 19 points and seven boards on 85% shooting and a perfect 2-2 from behind the three-point line.
The Owls were able to clear their benches pretty early and some freshmen were able to get some of their first college basketball action. Simeon Cottle took advantage of the opportunity and poured in 11 points off the bench, the third-highest point total on the team. Temple transfer Quincy Ademokoya was productive for his new squad giving the Owls eight points off the bench.
The Owls collectively collected 14 steals against the Panthers, but they almost equaled their steal total with 15 turnovers on the night. Three Owls had three turnovers on the night and only six of the 15 players that suited up and played didn’t commit a single turnover. Coach Abdur-Rahim emphasizes the importance of keeping the ball secure and not committing this many turnovers.
The team shot 63.3% from the field in the second half and 7-15 from the three-point line. The Owls outscored the Panthers 57-19 in the second half. Youngblood started the scoring in the second half and the team followed his lead by scoring on their next seven trips down the floor.
By the 19-minute mark in the second half the Owls opened up their first double-digit lead of the game and this lead would grow as large as 43 points. The slow start in the first half was overlooked at this point as the Owls handled business at home.
The Owls will be hitting the road for the next five weeks, first competing against Southeast Louisiana on Friday, Nov. 18 at 4 PM.
