Kennesaw State takes ‘steps back’ in non-conference loss to Iowa

Kennesaw State guard Jamie Lewis (12) drives to the basket in between Iowa forwards Cordell Pemsl and Riley Till (20) Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, in Iowa City, Iowa.

Credit: Joseph Cress

Credit: Joseph Cress

Kennesaw State guard Jamie Lewis (12) drives to the basket in between Iowa forwards Cordell Pemsl and Riley Till (20) Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, in Iowa City, Iowa.

Terrell Burden had 14 points as Kennesaw State closed out the non-conference season with a 93-51 loss on the road Sunday to No. 25 Iowa.

The Hawkeyes, who shot 39-of-65 (60 percent) for the game, were led by Luka Garza with 23 points and Ryan Kriener, who added a career-high 20. Joe Wieskamp had 18 points for the Hawkeyes (10-3), who also had a season-high 14 steals.

The Hawkeyes got into the rankings last week and should stay with this win, although the Owls weren’t much of a challenge.

Kennesaw State (1-12) stayed close early, trailing just 30-22 with 8:39 left in the first half. But Iowa went on an 18-6 run, and led 49-30 at halftime. The Hawkeyes added a 16-0 run in the second half.

Kennesaw State’s nonconference schedule included eight road games. Sunday’s meeting marked the only Power Five school the Owls will face this season. They have back-to-back home games next.

“I thought we took steps back in that area and that’s on me,” said Owls coach Amir Abdur-Rahim. “I have to figure out a way to keep them more competitive, make them more competitive, and we’ll learn and grow from it and get ready for conference play.”

Burden had his fifth double-figure game in the last seven. Ugo Obineke was the only other Owl in double-digits with 13 points,

The Owls open ASUN Conference play with a home game Jan. 2 against North Florida.