Nov. 9, 2007
Box Score
Photo Gallery
KENNESAW, Ga. - During the final minutes of regulation it looked liked the Lady Owls would begin this season with the same eerie fate as last year's opener as Jacksonville State came back from an eight-point deficit in the final minute and tied the game with a pair of free-throws in the final .3 seconds.
However, it's new year and a new season for the Lady Owls as Greteya Kelley and Britteny Henderson helped lead Kennesaw State to a 74-70, overtime, win over the Lady Gamecocks before a raucous crowd at the KSU Convocation Center.
After seeing the eight-point lead vanish, Kelley brought the Lady Owls back with a spinning runner in the lane with 1.6 seconds remaining to give Kennesaw State a two-point advantage.
The in-bounds pass from Jacksonville State crossed mid-court and Lennisha Johnson appeared to have swiped the ball away from JSU's Eren McMichael as she raced to intercept at the lofty pass above the top of the key. However, a foul was called on Johnson sending McMichael to the line where she tied the game and forced overtime with a pair of free-throws.
In overtime, Kennesaw State and Jacksonville State (0-1) remained scoreless until Kelsey Johnikin's (3-for-7) lay-up gave the Lady Gamecocks a two-point advantage. The lead was short-lived and was the only lead of the extra period as KSU's Henderson made a lay-up seven seconds later to tie the game.
Kelley hit a lay-up at the 2:34 mark to ignite a 6-0 run as DeAndrea Bullock followed with a pair of free-throws and Henderson followed with another lay-up in the paint. Henderson's Kennesaw State debut was memorable as she put up a double-double with a 24-point, 11-rebound night.
McMichael (5-for-19), the Lady Gamecocks leading scorer with 18 points, hit a three-pointer to bring Jacksonville State to within 72-70 with 43 seconds left. The long-range shot was one of six made by JSU, four of which were made by McMichael.
The Lady Owls worked the clock down to 15 seconds before the teams exchanged turnovers. Ashley Johnson (6 points) hit a pair of free-throws left to clinch the win.
While Henderson (8-for-13) was busy controlling the inside, Kelley (8-for-18) was controlling the perimeter with nine steals, four of which resulted in immediate lay-ups. Kelley scored 17 points in 34 minutes as 10 players scored on the night. Jennifer Baker (3-for-7) added nine points, four rebounds and three steals.
It was a tremendous debut for Kelley and Henderson as they combined for 41 points. The pair's inside-out attack was just two of the highlights of the new and improved Kennesaw State squad. The Lady Owls shot 41 percent from the floor, forced 34 JSU turnovers and had 21 steals.
Jolie Efezokhae (7-for-11) had a double-double for Jacksonville State, scoring 17 points and adding 12 rebounds including seven on the offensive glass. Johnikin added 10 points.
The Lady Owls will be back in action on Sunday afternoon when they play the Richmond Spiders for the first time at 2:00 p.m. at the KSU Convocation Center.
