Kennesaw State triumphs over No. 24 Rutgers 79-77 in first-ever home matchup with ranked opponent.

Kennesaw, Georgia – Jamil Miller posted an impressive performance with 16 points and 10 rebounds as Kennesaw State triumphed over No. 24 Rutgers, achieving a historic 79-77 victory in what marked the program’s first home game against a ranked team.

Kennesaw State (5-1) led by as many as 21 points and maintained control for most of the game, only trailing for about seven minutes at the start. Alongside Miller, Simeon Cottle contributed 15 points and Ricardo Wright added 14 points. The Owls showed exceptional teamwork throughout the match.

In the second half, the Scarlett Knights (4-1) displayed resilience with solid performances from their freshmen, Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, who scored 21 and 17 points, respectively. Despite their valiant efforts, Rutgers struggled to close the gap, never seizing the lead and getting as close as just two points in the dying moments of the match.

A key aspect of the game was Kennesaw State’s dominance in the paint, where they out-rebounded Rutgers significantly at 46-27. This victory was achieved even with Kennesaw State facing a challenging turnover ratio of 22-9 against them.

One pivotal moment occurred early in the first half when Kennesaw State was trailing 9-8. Miller’s three-pointer at the 13:08 mark shifted the momentum in favor of the Owls, pushing them into an 11-9 lead that electrified their home crowd.

Statistically, Kennesaw State displayed an efficient offensive game, shooting 50% from the field in the first half and finishing the game with an overall shooting percentage of 46.7% (28-60). The Owls had four players scoring in double figures, highlighting their balanced scoring approach.

Looking ahead, Rutgers will head to Las Vegas to face Notre Dame as part of the Players Era Thanksgiving Festival on Tuesday, while Kennesaw State is set to welcome UC Irvine at their home court on Thursday.