Kennesaw, GA - Kennesaw State could not overcome 32 turnovers and could not score a point in the final 3:46 seconds as Newberry defeated the Lady Owls, 65-61, on Friday night at the Spec Landrum Centre.
Ashley Marine (4-for-11, 12 points), hit a three-pointer with 2:43 remaining and Carnicha Bellinger (7-for-18, 14 points) hit a short jumper to give Newberry (8-2) a 64-61 lead. However, it was four turnovers and four missed free-throws over the final moments that cost the Lady Owls a win.
Freshman Lauren Harris played the best all-around game of her short career as she nearly recorded a triple-double. Harris finished the game with 12 points, 14 rebounds and nine blocks and was one of two KSU players to post a double-double. Leslie Smith scored 11 points and added 13 rebounds.
With the exception of keeping the ball, the Lady Owls did everything well against the Lady Indians. Kennesaw State out shot Newberry 39 percent to 29 percent and dominated the boards with a 54-43 margin.
Kennesaw State (7-3) led throughout the game and built its lead to as much as 12 points in the second half turnover after turnover let the Lady Indians stick around.
The Lady Owls led 52-43 with just over ten minutes left in the game before Newberry ripped off a 7-0 run, capped off by a pair of free-throws by Tonique Frasier, to cut the KSU lead to 52-50 with 8:59 left to play.
Over the next 90 seconds, Nikki Gurley (4-for-7, 10 points) delivered a quick lay up and Smith followed with a basket and a pair of free-throws to build the KSU lead to eight points. However, Newberry was again able to chip away at the lead thanks to the Lady Owls.
KSU led by four points after Shavonder Clarke (2-for-5, 7 points) hit a three-pointer with 3:46 left in the game. Just over thirty-seconds later, the Lady Owls had a chance to put the game further out of reach but couldn't capitalize on two easy looks under the basket.
Over the final 3:46 the Lady Owls were held scoreless Frasier (3-for-15, 8 points) took advantage, following her own miss to make the score 61-59.
Kennesaw State will be back in action at the Spec Landrum Centre to host Tusculum on Monday evening, January 3 at 7:00 PM.
