Freshman scores 26 to lead Kennesaw into CUSA semifinals

Trey Simpson, who was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman team this week, scored 26 points to help sixth-seeded Kennesaw State defeat third-seeded Western Kentucky, 96-87, Thursday in the CUSA tournament in Huntsville, Ala.

Simpson was 8-for-13 from the field and 9-for-9 at the line, finishing two points shy of his career high, to help the Owls (19-13) beat the Hilltoppers for the third time this season and reach the semifinal round for the second straight season.

KSU will play third-seeded Sam Houston State in the semifinals Friday at 3 p.m. at Propst Arena in Huntsville, Ala. The Owls lost both meetings against Sam Houston during the regular season.

KSU got a double-double from Frankquon Sherman, who had 19 points and 10 rebounds. They also picked up 18 points and six assists from RJ Johnson and 16 points from Braedan Lue.

Kennesaw State never trailed. KSU took control midway through the first half thanks to an 11-3 streak that put them ahead by 11 points at 12:42. The Owls led 46-42 at halftime.

KSU maintained the edge and led by 10 points, 58-48, with 16:42 left after a fastbreak basket by Johnson. But Western Kentucky began to chip away and eventually tied the game at 8:42 on a 3-pointer by Teagan Moore.

The Owls responded and built the lead back to six on Sherman’s three-point play that restored the six-point lead at 88-82. Sherman followed moments later with an alley-oop slam off a pass from Johnson, who made a pair of free throws with 59 seconds left to complete a 7-1 run that put KSU ahead 92-83.