KENNESAW - The Georgia Southwestern men's basketball team jumped out to an early 7-0 lead on Division I Kennesaw State on Friday evening at KSU Convocation Center, but the host Owls answered with a 13-3 run of their own and led the rest of the way to defeat the Hurricanes, 82-62, in the 2010-11 season opener for both schools.

Leading 40-28 at the half, Markeith Cummings started things after intermission for Kennesaw State with his lone three-pointer of the contest to make it 43-28. The Hurricanes would hold their own for the next several minutes, cutting the lead to 45-35 with 18:02 remaining in the game on a Phillip Brown three-point basket. That would be as close as GSW would get, as KSU went on a 15-7 run over the next 5:55 to open an 18-point cushion.

GSW turned the ball over 22 times in the contest, while Kennesaw State committed 12 turnovers. Both schools pulled down 32 rebounds. The Owls held a small advantage in assists (17-14) and steals (7-4).

Matt Shaw led Southwestern with 17 points. Brown scored 12 points and added a team-high nine rebounds and four assists. Trayce Macon chipped in eight points and eight rebounds in 29 minutes of action.

Cummings led all scorers with 24 points. Aaron Anderson added 19 points for KSU. 

The Hurricanes return to action on Saturday (Nov. 20) when they host Knoxville College at 4 p.m.