KENNESAW, Ga. (Interstat) — RJ Johnson scored 25 points and Kennesaw State used a blistering second-half shooting performance to pull away from Liberty for a 74-65 victory in a Conference USA men’s basketball game Thursday night at KSU Convocation Center.

The Owls, avenging a loss at Liberty earlier this season, shot 61.1% from the field in the second half, including 7 of 11 from three-point range, to turn a narrow halftime lead into a decisive win before a crowd of 2,046. Kennesaw State improved to 17-11 overall, while the Flames, who entered as a 2.5-point favorite, fell to 23-5.

The most critical phase of the game came early in the second half when Kennesaw State, leading 32-29 at the break, unleashed a decisive 14-4 run. The surge was fueled by the hot hand of Johnson and the interior presence of Frankquon Sherman. Johnson, a 6-foot-4 guard from Huntsville, Alabama, hit two three-pointers during the stretch, while Sherman added a layup. The run transformed a three-point game into a 46-33 Kennesaw State advantage with 16:02 remaining, and Liberty never recovered, unable to cut the deficit below seven points the rest of the way.

Johnson, the game’s standout performer, added five assists in 33 minutes. Sherman, a 6-foot-7 forward from Lincolnton, Georgia, provided crucial support with 18 points, showcasing efficient shooting and activity on the glass. The Owls’ offense operated at a high level, posting an offensive rating of 114.4 points per 100 possessions, compared to Liberty’s 101.7. Kennesaw State finished the game shooting 50.9% overall and a remarkable 61.1% from beyond the arc.

Liberty, which had won the previous meeting 81-73 on Jan. 2, was led by JJ Harper’s 14 points and Brett Decker’s 15. The Flames struggled to find consistent offense, shooting just 45.2% from the field. While they stayed close early, thanks in part to an 8-for-22 effort from three-point range and a 19-for-23 showing at the free-throw line, they could not match the Owls’ scoring burst after halftime.

The first half was a tightly contested affair featuring six ties and five lead changes. Liberty opened the game with a 5-0 spurt, but Kennesaw State responded with a 7-0 run of its own. The Owls built a small lead late in the period, taking a 32-29 advantage into the locker room after Trey Simpson’s dunk in the final minute.

The victory marked a significant result against the statistical expectations, as Liberty had been projected with a 74.1% probability to win by Interstat’s ELO system. The combined point total of 139 fell well under the over/under line of 154.5.

Kennesaw State will look to build on the momentum when it hosts Delaware on Saturday. Liberty, which saw a two-game winning streak snapped, will aim to rebound quickly in a road contest at Jacksonville State, also on Saturday.