|
3/1/2008 - MEN'S BASKETBALL
Stegall Caps Career by Leading KSU to a Win at Mercer
|
Print
Courtesy KSUOwls.com
MACON, Ga. - Shuan Stegall followed a Ronell Wooten shot with a lay-up with 33.9 seconds to put the Owls ahead as Kennesaw State topped Mercer, 65-61, on Friday night at the University Center, in the final collegiate game for Kennesaw State's two senior stars.
In an emotion filled evening for both teams, Stegall delivered one his best-ever performances, scoring a game-high 21-points and grabbing a career-high 18-rebounds as the Owls (10-20, 7-9 A-Sun) secured a 7th-place finish in the Atlantic Sun Conference.
Mercer (11-18, 6-10 A-Sun) stayed close to the Owls on their senior night and what was also head coach Mark Slonaker's final home game as coach of the Bears. Mercer chose not to renew the contract of their 11-year head coach.
In a see-saw battle that had 15 ties and 20 lead changes, the Owls were able to come away with their second road win of the season as a potential game-winning, three-pointer by James Florence missed off the backboard with 13.1 seconds left in the game.
Stegall hit a pair of free-throws to put Kennesaw State up, 64-61, but a three-pointer by Mark hall missed and the Owls J.D. Pollock clinched the game with a free-throw with 2.3 remaining for the four-point win.
Although the Kennesaw State lead was never more than five points throughout the second half, the Owls were in control during the entire second half as they were leading or tied for all but 88 seconds. The Owls led for all but 82 seconds in the first half.
Wooten scored 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds while finishing his Kennesaw State career with 1,633 points. Wooten is the second-leading scorer in KSU history, 50 points behind Herman Smith, the Owls all-time leader in points scored. Wooten is also the second player to ever eclipse the 1,600-point mark for his career.
