A packed Convocation Center decked out in white and a regional television audience did not seem to affect the Stetson Hatters (8-8, 5-3) who used a 28-4 second-half run to turn the tables on the Owls (5-10, 1-5) Friday night.
KSU led the entire game until early in the second half when the Hatters went on their dominating stretch, flipping a 33-25 KSU lead into a 16-point deficit for the Owls.
The Black and Gold started off the game hot and took a quick 8-2 lead in front of a boisterously partisan crowd.
But as quick as the Owls built their early lead, the Hatters were able to take it away. The Owls led the entire first half but trailed the final 16 minutes of the game.
Youth and inexperience may be contributing to the Owls’ current eight-game losing streak.
“We’ve got guys still learning the game,” said a visibly frustrated head coach Tony Ingle. “Young kids that are just battling and learning and they’re going to get better. This is where we miss J.D. (Pollack’s) senior leadership. You try to find consistency and that’s what we’re trying to do. You play a bad first half and then come back and play a good second half. You play a good first half and then have a bad second.”
Despite the negatives of the losing streak, Texas Tech transfer Jay Mitchell feels like things will turn around soon.
“We’re struggling a little bit, but we’re going to come around,” predicted Mitchell. “We’ve got young players, but they’re learning. Things are going to come around.”
Kurtis Woods was a bright spot for the Owls offensively, with 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting. Guard Spencer Dixon led the team in rebounds with nine.
MITCHELL RETURNS
Mitchell, a 6-foot-9 junior, was able to get into a game for the first time as an Owl. The highly regarded forward has been recovering from a September ankle surgery and is just now getting back to form. Despite favoring his injured ankle at times, Mitchell was happy just to be back on the floor.
“It actually didn’t feel as bad as I thought it was going to feel,” explained an upbeat Mitchell. “I’ve been struggling a little bit at practice and I’ve been working out pretty hard the last two or three weeks. My shots (…) are still a little rusty, but I feel a couple more games and I’ll be feeling pretty good.”
Ingle was proud of his injured player just for being able to give it a go tonight.
“I thought he showed a tremendous amount of courage going out there. He’s had four ankle surgeries. They can’t even find a place to cut anymore, but he’s out there battling. I just have total admiration for him and his courage being out there.”
Mitchell played 10 minutes, missing two shots, but contributed a rebound and a block.
BIRD BATTLE ON SUNDAY
The Florida Gulf Coast Eagles (8-11, 4-4) will travel to the Convocation Center on Sunday for a 3 p.m. date with the Owls. The two teams split two games last season with the home team winning each time.
Ingle hasn’t focused on FGCU yet, but knows they will be yet another challenge for his young squad.
“I know they have a win over East Tennessee State and that’s all I need to know,” declared Ingle. “I saw them play against Florida and they played well for about two-thirds of the game. We’re starting tonight watching Florida Gulf Coast.”
Black can be reached at sblack@scoreatl.com.
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