A clutch three pointer and lockdown defense lifted Kennesaw State past Louisiana Tech in a tense Conference USA battle Saturday night. The 58 to 55 victory not only moved the Owls into a tie for fourth place, it also marked the 50th career win for head coach Antoine Pettway in just 91 Division I games. The milestone adds weight to an already critical late season push.
Pettway Reaches 50 Wins in Record Time
Inside VyStar Arena in Kennesaw, Georgia, the Owls showed poise when it mattered most. Kennesaw State improved to 16 to 11 overall and 8 to 8 in Conference USA play with its second straight win.
Louisiana Tech fell to 15 to 12 overall and also sits at 8 to 8 in league standings.
Antoine Pettway became the fastest Division I coach in school history to reach 50 wins, doing so in 91 games. The milestone highlights steady progress since he took over the program.
After the game, Pettway praised his team’s defensive effort.
The Owls held Louisiana Tech to 33.3 percent shooting from the floor and just 4 of 20 from three point range, a key difference in a tight contest.
Harris Hits Game Winner in Final Minutes
The game was tied late when junior guard Jadan Harris stepped into a three pointer with two minutes remaining. The shot gave Kennesaw State a 56 to 53 edge and proved to be the difference.
Moments later, sophomore forward Braedan Lue added a jumper with 1 minute and 47 seconds left to push the lead back to three after Louisiana Tech cut it to one.
Kennesaw State then forced four straight missed shots in the final minute and did not allow another point.
The Bulldogs had a final second chance to tie with a three point attempt, but it did not fall.
Key Late Game Sequence
-
Harris hits go ahead three pointer
-
Louisiana Tech scores to trim deficit to one
-
Lue answers with clutch jumper
-
Owls force four straight misses
-
Final potential tying three comes up short
It was the type of finish that defines March positioning in a competitive league.
Defensive Battle Defines First Half
The opening 20 minutes were marked by strong defense from both teams.
Kennesaw State jumped out to a 5 to 0 lead behind a three pointer from Frankquon Sherman and an alley oop finish by Trey Simpson. RJ Johnson then scored six straight points to extend the lead to seven.
The Owls led 15 to 9 midway through the half.
However, the offense cooled. Kennesaw State managed just one field goal over a nine minute stretch. Louisiana Tech responded with a 16 to 6 run to take its largest first half lead at 25 to 21.
Sherman scored on a layup before the break to trim the deficit to 25 to 23 at halftime.
It was clear early that every possession would matter.
Second Half Swings and Standout Performances
The second half featured seven lead changes and nine ties, reflecting how evenly matched the teams were.
RJ Johnson opened the half with a three pointer to put the Owls ahead. Louisiana Tech countered with a 7 to 0 run for a 32 to 26 advantage, its largest lead of the night.
A Sherman dunk sparked an 8 to 0 run for Kennesaw State, swinging momentum back to the home side.
Owls Leaders
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Notable Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| RJ Johnson | 15 | 3 | Team high scorer |
| Frankquon Sherman | 10 | 2 | Key dunk and clutch plays |
| Jadan Harris | 8 | 2 | Game winning three |
| Braedan Lue | 8 | 6 | Career high 5 blocks |
Lue’s impact stood out in the final 20 minutes. All eight of his points came after halftime. He also recorded four of his career high five blocks in the second half.
His defensive presence helped limit Louisiana Tech’s inside scoring during crucial possessions.
The Owls improved to 3 to 1 all time against the Bulldogs and split the season series.
Conference USA Race Tightens
With the win, Kennesaw State moves into a tie for fourth place in Conference USA at 8 to 8. That positioning is critical as teams battle for favorable seeding in the conference tournament.
Conference USA has been tightly contested this season, with multiple teams hovering around the middle of the standings.
The Owls now host first place Liberty on Thursday at 7 p.m. in VyStar Arena. The matchup carries major implications for tournament seeding.
It will also be a Gold Rush game, with fans encouraged to wear gold and the first 500 attendees receiving a free T shirt.
Momentum matters in February.
And right now, Kennesaw State has it.
The Bigger Picture for the Program
Pettway’s 50 win milestone reflects more than a number. It signals growth for a program that continues to build its identity at the Division I level.
The Owls Fund, the primary fundraising arm of Kennesaw State Athletics, continues to support student athletes across 18 NCAA Division I programs. Through scholarships, events and donor initiatives, it plays a key role in sustaining competitive success.
As the regular season winds down, the Owls are showing resilience in close games.
Winning tight contests against experienced conference opponents is often what separates contenders from the rest.
Saturday night’s result was not flashy. It was gritty. It was defensive. It was earned.
Kennesaw State now looks ahead with confidence and belief, knowing it can execute under pressure when the game is on the line.
Fans who packed VyStar Arena witnessed a milestone, a clutch performance and a team finding its stride at the right time.
As the Owls prepare for Liberty, one question remains. Can this momentum carry them into a deep postseason run?
