JustinYoung

Moore Than Enough
Owls Advance to Second Straight Championship Game

Columbus, Georgia - On a day that started out well, the evening got even better for Kennesaw State as the Owls advanced to their second straight Peach Belt Conference championship game with a 69-49 win over Augusta State tonight at the Lumpkin Center.

After sweeping the Peach Belt Conference awards for Coach-of-the-Year (Tony Ingle), Player-of-the-Year (Terrence Hill) and Freshman-of-the-Year (Georgy Joseph), KSU continued to ride the crest of emotion into tomorrow's championship game against either Columbus State or USC Spartanburg.

Senior Brandon Moore, who said on Friday evening that he "loves shooting in Columbus," ripped the nets for 17 first half points as Kennesaw State (24-8) built a nine-point halftime lead. Moore finished the game with a KSU career high 21 points.

"Give credit to Brandon," said Ingle on his sharp shooting senior, "he was able to get some shots. He is that kind of player."

In a rematch of last year's championship final, Kennesaw State used an attacking defense to stifle the Jaguars (18-11) outside shooting, limiting the Jaguars to just 1-for-12 from beyond the arc in the first half. The Owls, on the other hand, were making five three-pointers, led by Moore's four long-range treys.

"I'm glad we were able to respond," said Ingle. "We got a little lead going into halftime and we felt pretty good."

With just seven first half turnovers, Kennesaw State was able to establish the flow offensive and keep the quick Jaguars off-balance.

Augusta State fought back twice in the second half, cutting the KSU lead to 41-40 with 11:37 left before the Owls went on a 10 run to up their lead to 51-41 with 8:31 left in the game. Terrence Hill (16 points and ten rebounds) hit for four straight points and Tommy Thompson nailed a three-pointer from the right corner to push the Owls lead up to double-digits.

Hill's effort came after a first half that saw the Fort Payne, Alabama native make just one of nine shots from the floor. The double-double was Hill's first of the season.

The Jaguars ended their scoring drought when Marcus Johnson scored on a lay up with 6:20 left off a pellet pass from guard Chris Harriman. The quick rush of Augusta State emotion was short lived as the Fighting Owls answered quickly when Bobby Brown dropped in a lay up of his own, adding a free-throw to give KSU a 54-43 lead with 5:44 left.

The Owls tenacious defense was no better exemplified then when Augusta State's David Siebrands broke from the pack and appeared headed for an easy lay up before Joseph closed quickly and swatted the ball against the backboard, keeping the Kennesaw State lead at 14 points.

"Georgy is probably the best defensive player in the conference," boasted Ingle. "He is an electrifying player who can guard both a point guard and a five man."

The Jaguars' head coach Gary Tuell said KSU is the toughest team he has had to face in a very long while.

"The last Division I team that we played was Utah and they beat us by seven at their place. I think this Kennesaw team is better than that Utah team, defensively. (KSU) is the best Division one team we’ve played. I like their chances. I think this Kennesaw team can play for a national championship," said Tuell.

Senior guard Chris Harriman agrees. The Australia native has played the Owls ten times in his career and he believes this squad sits above the rest.

"You have to give credit to Kennesaw. I think they are the best team we’ve played in this conference for the last four years," he said.

The championship game is scheduled for 4:00 PM as the Owls take on South division rival Columbus State for the tournament title.

Game Box Score