By: by Jason Hanes
Box Score
KENNESAW, Ga. - Senior Gia Lockett scored 31 points while sophomore Angie Smith added 19 points, six rebounds, and six assists to lift Kennesaw State to a, 72-61, victory over Longwood Sunday afternoon at the KSU Convocation Center.
A close game for the duration of the contest, the Lady Owls didn't pull away from Longwood until breaking a 55-55 tie with a Kayla Weaver jumper with just over six minutes to go in the contest. Free throws by Montinique Nixon extended the lead to four, but after a pair of free-throws by the Lancers, Smith connected on her only 3-pointer of the game, pushing the KSU lead to five, 62-57, with just over four minutes to go.
After another Longwood free-throw cut the deficit to four, the Lady Owls used six straight points from Lockett and Smith to put the game away as KSU led 68-58 with 75 seconds to go. KSU would ice the game from the charity stripe, making 4-of-6 as a team in the final minute.
Nixon pulled down 13 rebounds for KSU, as the Lady Owls out-rebounded Longwood 53-36. Both teams shot 25 free throws, but the Lady Owls had 10 more shots from the field thanks to a 30-20 advantage on the offensive glass.
Heather Tobeck came within a blocked shot of a triple-double, scoring 16 points, grabbing 13 rebounds, and blocking nine shots.
KSU trailed 35-32 after the opening 20 minutes as both teams struggled offensively. KSU went just 11-of-39 from the field, but used 10-of-12 shooting from the charity stripe to stay in the game. Lockett led the Lady Owls with a dozen points in the first half, setting the stage for her 19 point outburst in the second half.
The Lady Owls will return to the hardwood at the Convocation Center Tuesday night when Atlantic Coast Conference foe Clemson visits the KSU Convocation Center. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
