Saturday, December 30th, 6:00 p.m. (et).

FACTS & STATS: Site: McKenzie Arena (11,218) -- Chattanooga, Tennessee. Television: None. Home Record: ASU 2-1, Kennesaw St. 1-3. Away Record: ASU 0-5, Kennesaw St. 0-6. Neutral Record: ASU 0-2, Kennesaw St. 2-1. Conference Record: ASU 0-0, Kennesaw St. 0-2. Series Record: First-ever meeting.

GAME NOTES: The consolation round of the Dr. Pepper Classic tonight will feature the Alabama State Hornets against the Kennesaw State Owls. The Hornets took on Colorado State in the opening round of this event on Friday and dropped a hard fought 61-56 decision. It was the sixth straight loss by ASU, which dipped to a dismal 2-8 overall and an even worse 0-7 in games played away from home. As for Kennesaw State, it took on host Chattanooga on Friday, losing out by a score of 83-67. The loss was the Owls' second in a row, as they fell to 3-10 overall and 0-6 on the road. This game will mark the first meeting between the two schools.

The Hornets shot a dismal 37.0 percent from the field and made just 5-of-17 three pointers in their five-point setback to Colorado State last night. The team also struggled at the foul line, converting just 11-of-21 free-throw attempts. Andrew Hayles paced the team in defeat with 21 points on 9-of-18 shooting from the field. On the season, Hayles leads the squad in scoring with 15.2 ppg, although he is shooting just 36.6 percent from the floor. As a team, ASu has struggled at both ends of the court this season, scoring just 56.9 ppg and allowing a much higher 73.4 ppg.

The Owls struggled from the field (.375) including from long range (6-of-28) and were even outrebounded, 41-30, in their 16-point loss to Chattanooga last night. Shuan Stegall guided the squad in defeat with 25 points and six boards, while Ronell Wooten logged 14 points and six rebounds. On the season, Stegall is nearly averaging a double-double with team-highs of 17.2 ppg and 9.6 rpg. Wooten is next with 13.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg, while Golden Ingle chips in with 10.0 ppg. As a team, the Owls are averaging just 64.0 ppg on a lackluster 36.8 percent shooting from the floor.

Kennesaw State has a few more weapons than ASU and that should help it pull away late for the win tonight.

Predicted Outcome

Kennesaw State 66, Alabama State 60