By: by Jason Hanes
Box Score
KENNESAW, Ga. – Brandi Jones scored a career-high 14 points while Montinique Nixon and Sametria Gideon posted double-doubles as the Kennesaw State Lady Owls defeated Lipscomb, 70-52, on Saturday evening at the KSU Convocation Center.
The Lady Owls (4-4, 1-1 A-Sun), who led 24-12 in the first half, would fall behind for the first time in the game when Jenna Bartsokas hit a three-pointer to give the Lady Bisons a, 29-28, lead moments into the second half.
Kennesaw State would miss five of their first six shots in the second half, but a solid defense kept the Black and Gold close, as Lipscomb would only be able to build a four-point advantage with 18:25 left to play in the game.
After a pair of free-throws by Valerie Bronson, Gideon would spark the Lady Owls to a 12-2 run; giving KSU the lead they would hold the remainder of the game. Four different Lady Owls scored over the five-minute barrage that was led by Jones, who scored six points thanks to a pair of 3-pointers.
The Bisons (2-8, 0-2 A-Sun) would cut the lead to four points on two occasions, the final time coming with 13:18 left before Ashley Holliday hit a 3-pointer to give the Lady Owls a 43-36 lead. Lipscomb wouldn’t come closer than four points the rest of the game as Kennesaw State took control of the game, dominating the glass with a 57-20 advantage on the boards, including a 26-9 margin on the offensive glass.
The Lady Owls (4-4, 1-1 A-Sun) led by as many as 12 points in the first half before Lipscomb rallied with a 14-4 run over the final seven minutes of the first half to cut the Kennesaw State lead to 28-26 at intermission.
The Black and Gold had five players score in double-figures led by Jones and Holliday, who also had a career-best scoring night as she dropped in 13 points including a pair of three-pointers. DeAndrea Bullock added 11 points while Gideon and Nixon scored 10 points each.
Nixon blocked three shots and had two steals while also adding a season-high 14 rebounds. Gideon grabbed 10 rebounds for her first career double-double and also had a pair of blocks.
Kennesaw State shot 34 percent from the field and used a 29-10 advantage from the free-throw line to bring them to .500 on the season. Six Lady Owls went to the foul line six or more times as KSU connected on 73 percent from the charity stripe.
The Black and Gold will have a two-week break for final exams and will be back in action on Friday, Dec. 18 when they host Georgia Tech at the KSU Convocation Center. Tip-off between the Lady Owls and the Yellow Jackets is scheduled for 7 p.m.
