Williams scores 30, East Tennessee State beats Kennesaw State 69-64 to reach title game

East Tennessee State beats Kennesaw State 69-64

MACON, Ga. — Micah Williams scored 20 points and Justin Tubbs hit two free throws with 18.2 seconds left to help East Tennessee State hold off Kennesaw State 69-64 on Friday night in the Atlantic Sun Conference semifinals.

The Owls’ Markeith Cummings missed a tying 3-pointer attempt 8 seconds later and the fifth-seeded Buccaneers (19-14) advanced to the championship game against Mercer on Saturday.

Williams hit a 3-pointer in the final seconds of the first half to give the ETSU its first lead, 31-29.

The Buccaneers kept a small lead early in the second half, but the Owls (13-20) battled back to take the lead again with 11 minutes left.

Kelvin McConnell’s putback pulled Kennesaw State within 65-64 with 26.2 seconds left, but he missed the ensuing free throw.

Cummings led Kennesaw State with 23 points.