Smith, Stafford lead North Alabama past Kennesaw St, 76-71
FLORENCE, Ala. -- Kendarius Smith and Kendall Stafford combined to score 35 points and North Alabama bounced back from its first loss in its last five games to hold off Kennesaw State, 76-71 in an Atlantic Sun Conference battle Thursday night.
After getting walloped in their conference opener at North Florida, the Lions put together ra four-game win streak before falling at Liberty Monday night.
Tyler Hooker hit a jumper with 1:06 left to get Kennesaw State within four, 69-65, but Owls could get no closer. Jamari Blackmon made a steal and scored at the basket to push the lead back to six points, 71-65 with :39 to go. Kennesaw State's only field goal in the final minute was a 3 by Bobby Parker with a second left.
Smith finished with 18 points and Stafford had 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for North Alabama (8-14, 5-2).
Hooker finished with 33 points, going 13 of 14 from the free throw line for Kennesaw State (3-18, 0-6).
Game Information
- Referees:
- Jason Baker
- Ken Washington
- Keith Patterson
2023-24 ASUN Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Eastern Kentucky | 12-4 | - | 17-14 |
Stetson | 11-5 | 1 | 22-13 |
Lipscomb | 11-5 | 1 | 20-12 |
Austin Peay | 10-6 | 2 | 19-16 |
North Florida | 9-7 | 3 | 16-16 |
North Alabama | 8-8 | 4 | 15-17 |
Florida Gulf Coast | 8-8 | 4 | 14-18 |
Queens University | 7-9 | 5 | 14-19 |
Kennesaw State | 6-10 | 6 | 15-16 |
Jacksonville | 5-11 | 7 | 16-17 |
Central Arkansas | 5-11 | 7 | 9-23 |
Bellarmine | 4-12 | 8 | 8-23 |