By: by Jason Hanes
Box Score
KENNESAW, Ga. - Angie Smith scored a game-high 18 points and Gia Lockett added 16, but it was not enough as Kennesaw State's frantic rally fell just short, 75-69, to Clemson on Tuesday night in front of 783 fans at the KSU Convocation Center.
Trailing 70-67, the Lady Owls had a chance to tie, but Smith's 3-pointer fell just short off the iron, with Clemson getting the rebound. Lele Hardy, who led the Tigers with 14 points, made one free-throw to push the lead to four. DeAndrea Bullock was fouled with 37.5 seconds left driving to the basket, earning and making a pair of free-throws to cut the deficit to two, 71-69.
That would be as close as KSU would get. After missing eight of their first 16 free throws of the half as a team, the Tigers would make their final four from the charity stripe to close out the game.
KSU (2-2) led for its only time in the contest when Smith made her first 3-pointer of the game to make the score 3-2 just one minute and 15 seconds in. The Tigers would go on an 11-0 run to take a 14-3 lead and would never trail again though the Lady Owls would continue to rally, pulling within one, 18-17, after a Lockett jumper with seven minutes left in the first half.
Clemson (3-1) would settle for a 31-25 lead, the third time this season that the Lady Owls have trailed after the first 20 minutes. In the opening stages of the second half, Clemson would push the lead back up to 11, 39-28, but the Lady Owls would again rally. Smith scored five of her 15 second-half points in a 10-2 spurt that brought KSU within three, 41-38.
The Lady Owls trailed 67-56 before a run brought the crowd to its feet and gave the home fans hope. A pair of free throws by Lockett and a lay-in by Smith cut the deficit to seven, 67-60, with just over three minutes to go. One minute later, a pair of free-throws by DeAndrea Bullock brought the Lady Owls within five, 67-62. Clemson made a free-throw on its next possession, but free-throws by Lockett made the score 68-64 with 72 seconds to go. The Lady Owls fouled on the inbounds play and Clemson made two free-throws, but Angie Smith gave KSU life with a 3-pointer that bounced in off the front of the cylinder to make the score 70-67 with 57 seconds to go.
Hardy's 14 points led a trio of Tigers in double figures, as Keyrra Gillespie scored 11 and Shaniqua Pauldo added 10. The Tigers connected on 27-of-57 shots from the field, with 21 assists coming on the makes.
After consecutive games with nine rebounds, Sametria Gideon broke into double-digits on the glass with 11 to lead all players. Lockett tied Hardy for game-high honors with four steals, as Clemson turned the ball over 30 times compared to 27 by the Lady Owls.
The Lady Owls will travel to Chattanooga, Tenn., to face off with the Lady Mocs of Chattanooga Friday evening at 7 p.m. at the DoubleTree Invitational. KSU will face either Villanova or Evansville in Saturday's contest.
