Dec. 29, 2007
Box Score
ATLANTA, Ga. - Kennesaw State had four players score in double figures, led by Britteny Henderson and Jennifer Baker with 17 points apiece, en route to an 83-71 win over Harvard in the first round of the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center Holiday Tournament at Alexander Memorial Coliseum on Saturday afternoon.
Trailing 11-8 five minutes in after Harvard's Katie Rollins scored nine of the Crimson's first 11 points, the Lady Owls (5-6) started to find their rhythm and took their first lead with 12:50 to go in the first half after Gia Lockett's jumper from 16 feet to take a 14-13 lead. Lockett pushed the margin to five a minute later after her lay-up gave KSU a 20-15 lead.
Harvard (7-6) kept it close and once again pulled within one at 20-19 after a Rollins lay-up with 10:11 remaining. From there KSU caught fire as the Black and Gold put together a 19-5 run over the next seven minutes to take a 41-25 lead after Baker hit yet another three pointer from deep outside the arc. The teams would trade baskets down the stretch as the Lady Owls went into the halftime break leading 47-31.
The 47 first half points were the most the Lady Owls have scored in any half since KSU scored 51 second half points against Lipscomb on January 7, 2007.
After shooting 54.1 percent (20-of-37) in the first half, the Lady Owls struggled from the field in the second stanza, making just 37.5 percent (9-of-24) shots from the floor. The mixture of poor shooting and 11 turnovers gave Harvard a chance in the second half, allowing the Crimson to come charging back.
Harvard drew within seven with 3:04 to go after a Niki Finelli three-pointer. Good defense and clutch free throw shooting in the final five minutes were they key for the Black and Gold as they hung on for the 12-point win.
Henderson posted her fifth double-double of the season with her 17-point, 11-rebound effort. Baker scored a season-high for the second straight game with her 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the field. Ashley Johnson scored a season-best 16 points and Lockett rounded out the double-figure scorers with 12.
KSU returns to action tomorrow afternoon in the Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center Holiday Tournament championship game beginning at 1:30 p.m. The Lady Owls will play the host Yellow Jackets, who advanced to the final with a 57-31 win over Chicago State.
