Feb. 20, 2008

KENNESAW, Ga. - It's three and out for the Kennesaw State men's basketball team as the Owls play their final games of the season beginning with a battle against rival North Florida on Thursday night in Jacksonville.

After a slow start, the Owls (8-19, 5-8) are flying high of late and are on the verge of their third consecutive .500 season in the conference. That is if they can win out over their final three games. Kennesaw State is 5-8 in the league and has North, Florida, Jacksonville and Mercer all on the road to end their third transition season.

The Owls are 1-2 against the trio of teams which they opened the conference season against last month. Kennesaw State defeated UNF, 80-59, on Jan. 12 as the win snapped an eight-game losing streak. The Owls suffered a, 73-56, loss to Jacksonville and in the A-Sun opener, dropped a two-point, overtime decision to Mercer in the conference opener.

While the Owls have won two straight games for the third time this season, the final stretch run for KSU will not be easy as the Black and Gold look for their first road wins of the season. The Owls are winless in five conference games and have been outscored by an 11.2 point margin.

However, the current Owls have been playing their best ball of the season over the past month and have won five of their last nine games.

"Our biggest game is our next game," said Kennesaw State head coach Tony Ingle. "We have to go on the road and play a tough North Florida team who took Jacksonville to overtime last week."

Kennesaw State defeated the Ospreys (2-23, 0-12) in their only other meeting this season at the KSU Convocation Center. However, the Owls have fared well on the road against UNF, taking four of the last five games in Jacksonville.

In the previous meeting between Kennesaw State and UNF, the Owls posted their largest win of the season, a 24-point triumph. Ronell Wooten scored 17 points as four KSU players scored in double figures including 16 points by Shuan Stegall, 14 by Tanner Jacobs and 11 points by former Osprey, Ryan Daugherty. Stan Januska scored 16 points to lead North Florida before being ejected midway through the second half.

The Owls and the Ospreys will tip-off at 7:00 p.m. at the UNF Arena. Craig Corbin and Scott Webb will broadcast the game live on SuperTalk 1230/1340 AM.