Box Score GREENVILLE, N.C.– In what became a shootout, Georgia Southern men's basketball (0-4) battled hard, but couldn't secure the win against Kennesaw State (3-1) in the first matchup of the TowneBank Holiday Classic on Sunday, dropping it 96-92.

"I was encouraged with how we played offensively, but defensively, we were disappointing," head coach Charlie Henry said. "We need to figure out how to play defensively and not take a step back on offense."

KSU held a slight advantage early on, as Avantae Parker sunk both free throws after the media timeout to make it 13-9.

The Owls stretched their lead as much as nine in the late portion, chipping it down to a seven-point deficit before quick buckets by Jamar Franklin and Malik Tidwell made the score 50-48 heading into the break.

The Eagles paced the Owls in shooting percentage heading into the half, scoring at a 42.4 percent clip and 46.7 percent from three-point range. The team also shot 92.9 percent (13-14) from the line.

GS snatched its first lead quickly in the second frame following a jumper by Tyren Moore and a go-ahead three-point shot by Nate Brafford.

A 12-2 run, aided by three three-pointers by Tidwell, gave the Eagles their largest lead of the match at six.

However, the Owls came back to take a lead that would stick. They stretched their lead back to eight, and when the Eagles came back closer to within two, knocked down free throws when it mattered, ultimately winning 96-92.

For the first time in 2023, four Eagles were in double figures. Tidwell (17), Dean (17), Franklin (16) and Moore (12) each passed the ten-point mark.

Parker's 12 rebounds were a match-high and high for any Eagle this season. This game marked the debut of David Jones, who filled the stat sheet with two points, six rebounds, three assists and four blocks.

Georgia Southern out-shot the Owls overall at a 43.1 percent rate, including a season-best 41.9 percent from three.

GS will take on host East Carolina on Monday.