Photo courtesy of Kennesaw State Athletics
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – Simeon Cottle broke multiple records in a 32 point performance to help men’s basketball to an 80-77 win over New Mexico State in the Conference USA Championship quarterfinals at Propst Arena on Thursday.
Cottle’s 32 was the most in a conference tournament game in program history, besting his own record of 29 against Jacksonville last season. He also surpassed Kendrick Ray and Nick Masterson for the most three pointers in a season as an Owl.
The 32 points also matched his career high, set against Brewton-Parker earlier this season.
“I’m doing whatever it takes and giving it my all,” Cottle said. “I want to put on my jersey as long as possible and play with my little brothers and my big brothers. Whatever it takes to just go out and get the job done, I’m going to do it.”
As the buzzer rang, New Mexico State’s Christian Cook’s halfcourt heave fell off the rim and Kennesaw State escaped with a nerve-wracking victory.
After a closely contested first half saw a 34-34 tie heading into the locker room, the Owls went on a 13-3 run to open the second half, and built a lead as large as 51-39 after a Braeden Lue jump shot at the 14:03 mark.
The Aggies stormed back quickly, embarking on a 12-0 run over the next three minutes to tie the game at 51-51 at the 11:22 mark.
KSU took the lead back with a Cottle three pointer shortly after, and maintained a narrow advantage for the majority of the second half with the exception of a 14 second stretch in which NMSU jumped out front 63-61.
Fifth-year senior Rongie Gordon gave the Owls a 78-75 advantage by converting one of two free throw attempts with 19 seconds remaining, setting up an apparent final opportunity for the Aggies to tie the game.
NMSU’s Robert Carpenter’s three point attempt fell off the mark, but Jae’coby Osborne rebounded the miss and was fouled while converting a layup with under four seconds to play.
Osborne missed the potential tying attempt long, and the Aggies were forced to send Adrian Wooley to the line with 1.6 remaining.
The freshman made both foul shots, and after Cook’s heave missed the mark the Owls left victorious.
“That team we just played is a really, really good team,” Owls coach Antoine Pettway said. “I mean they play hard, they’re the number one defensive team in our conference – I thought our guys responded to every bit of adversity we faced.”
Lue was forced into playing heavy minutes at the center position due to Gordon and Frankquon Sherman each dealing with foul trouble throughout the second half. He finished with a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds while also adding four blocks.
“I knew (NMSU) was going to be big and aggressive,” Lue said. “So I knew I had to bring it to the game to help out my team, and often I just trust in the work.”
Wooley joined the record breaking party, surpassing Markeith Cummings for the most points in a as a freshman with his first field goal.
The Owls advance to face Liberty just 16 hours following the conclusion of their victory, a team they split their regular season series against.
“We’ll get back to the hotel, get some food in them,” Pettway said. “We’ll start watching a little personnel, we just played those guys like two games ago so we should be familiar with them.”
