Kennesaw State drops third straight game

In a tight game throughout, Kennesaw State was unable to overcome its problems on defense in the first half, as it fell to Sam Houston State on Saturday, 83-79.

For the Owls, it was their third straight loss, as they allowed 77 or more points for the third straight game as well.

Amir Taylor finished with 21 points, six rebounds and two steals for the Owls (14-11, 6-8 Conference USA). RJ Johnson added 21 points and six assists for Kennesaw State. Braedan Lue also had 20 points, eight rebounds and two blocks.

But the Owls trailed at the half, 45-43, despite shooting 55% from the field. That’s because the Bearkats shot 63% in the opening 20 minutes, including seven 3-pointers.

Damon Nicholas Jr.’s 21 points for Sam Houston, finishing perfect 4-for-4 from 3-point range for the Bearkats (17-8, 9-5). Po’Boigh King scored 20 points, while Jacob Walker finished 6-of-10 from the field to finish with 14 points.

The game was close throughout, as neither team led by more than seven points. There were 10 ties and 10 lead changes.

Sam Houston went into halftime ahead of Kennesaw State 45-42. Nicholas put up 12 points in the half. Sam Houston pulled off the victory after a 10-2 second-half run erased a three-point deficit and gave them the lead at 69-64 with 7:55 remaining in the half. King scored 14 second-half points.