Jan. 11, 2008

KENNESAW, Ga.--The Kennesaw State men's basketball team will wrap up a two-game homestand this Saturday when it plays host to former Division II and Peach Belt Conference rival North Florida. This Atlantic Sun Conference game will take place at 7:30 p.m. and will air on SuperTalk 1230/1340 AM and on ASun.Tv.

Both KSU and UNF are struggling at this point in the season. The Owls (2-13, 0-2 A-Sun) last came away with a victory on December 8 when KSU vanquished Clark Atlanta, 69-62. North Florida (1-14, 0-3 A-Sun) last won a game on November 16, defeating Concordia, 57-41.

KSU and UNF both saw action against other A-Sun foes on Thursday night. The Owls trailed Jacksonville, 36-30, at halftime before the Dolphins pulled away to swipe a 73-56 win. Kelvin McConnell led the way for the Owls with 14 points, including a team-best four three-pointers. Ryan Daugherty scored 10 points off the bench for the Owls. KSU shot just 9-of-28 from the field in the second half while Jacksonville went 14-of-25 to pull away for the victory.

North Florida trailed Mercer, 37-35, at halftime of their contest Thursday night in Macon, Ga. However, the Bears went 22-of-30 from the charity stripe in the second half and surged to an 89-68 win over the visitors. Tom Hammonds had 14 points to lead the Osprey offense, while Chris Timberlake had 12 points and seven assists.

KSU is very familiar with the Ospreys from the time when both teams were members of the Peach Belt Conference in Division II. Including their time in Division II, the Owls are 13-7 all-time against the Ospreys. The two teams first met during the 1997-98 season, with the Owls sweeping the Ospreys by scores of 75-70 and 79-70. Since both teams became Division I foes, the Owls have won three of the four contests including a 68-66 overtime victory on February 8, 2007 in the most recent meeting.

North Florida has struggled with the transition to Division I and the Atlantic Sun Conference. The Ospreys are 5-69 all-time against Division I foes, including an 0-14 mark so far this season and a 1-26 record in the previous season.

Following Saturday's contest, the Owls will be on the road for contests against Stetson and Florida Gulf Coast next Thursday and Saturday.