In Amir Abdur-Rahim’s first year as Kennesaw State head coach during the 2019-20 season, the Owls won one game. On Friday, they nearly pulled off a major upset against No. 3-seeded Xavier in the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance.
Fourteen-seeded Kennesaw State held a 61-48 second-half lead before the Musketeers defense clamped down as Xavier went on a 24-6 run over the final 9:05 and hung on for a 72-67 win.
After the game, Abdur-Rahim walked over to the sideline where fans were seated and motioned for them to keep their heads up. Kennesaw State certainly has nothing to be ashamed of after a performance in which it proved it could hang with a much more accomplished opponent.
