Nov. 22, 2008
Box Score
KENNESAW, Ga.--Kennesaw State junior Greteya Kelley led all scorers with 23 points, but the College of Charleston took advantage of some timely misses at the foul line as the Lady Owls fell 86-79 in the women's basketball home opener for KSU.
"There were some plays down the stretch that would have helped us out if we had converted them, but that wasn't the reason we lost today," said KSU head coach Colby Tilley. "Charleston just outplayed us."
The Lady Owls jumped out to a nine point lead six minutes into the contest, but the Cougars used an 11-2 run to take the lead, 23-22, with 9:30 left in the opening half. KSU would get the lead back to two points, but Charleston surged forward with seven consecutive points to take a 32-25 lead.
KSU pulled within three after a basket by junior DeAndrea Bullock, but Charleston went into intermission leading 42-35.
In the second half, the lead grew to as large as 12 for the visiting team, coming at 75-63 with seven minutes to go. The Lady Owls whittled the lead down to five, but could never quite get over the edge. Finally. with Charleston's lead at seven, the Lady Owls scored three straight points to cut the lead to four, but left three points available due to missed free throws.
The most painful dagger came with under 30 seconds to go as Kelley made a tremendous steal at mid-court. Driving the lane, the layup for the junior hung tantalizingly on the rim before falling off and into the hands of the Cougars. KSU would not get any closer, as the Cougars scored the final three points of the game from the foul line to earn the 86-79 win.
Senior Jennifer Baker scored 19 for KSU on 6-of-9 shooting. Bullock came off the bench to chip in 13, while Britteny Henderson battled for 11 points and a team-high seven rebounds.
Charleston was led by Brooke Kotcella's 22 points, with Tonia Gerty adding 19 points and seven assists, and Deidra Jones tossing in 17 points and grabbing nine rebounds.
The Lady Owls will be back in action on December 3 when they visit Troy. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. CST.
