By: by Jason Hanes
DeLAND, Fla. – DeAndrea Bullock notched her first double-double of the season, collecting 11 points and 11 rebounds, and Tamasha Bolden poured in 14 of her 16 total points in the second half to fuel an impressive comeback, but it wasn't enough, as the Kennesaw State women's basketball team shot just 28.5% from the field and fell, 62-59, to Stetson on Saturday afternoon at the Edmunds Center in an Atlantic Sun Conference contest.
The Lady Owls (5-14, 2-8) trailed by as many as 17 points in the second half, and we behind, 58-42, with just 6:11 remaining in the game, but they were able to take advantage of clutch baskets by Bullock, Bolden, and Florida native Angie Smith, as well as the Hatter’s late struggles, which included 1-6 shooting and three turnovers over the next 5:16, to spark a 17-2 run and pull to within 60-59 with just 55 seconds remaining.
After a strong defensive stand that culminated in a Stetson (4-15, 4-6) miss and a rebound by Smith, the Lady Owls called timeout with 17 seconds left with a chance to take the lead. It would be for naught, as Bolden, who finished the night 8-11 from the floor and led all scorers, couldn’t connect on two consecutive jump shots.
After a Bolden foul, Stetson’s Ashli Jackson, who finished with 10 points as one of the two Hatters to score in double figures, made two free throws to put the home team back up by three. Angie Smith’s three-point attempt as time expired was unsuccessful, cementing their fourth straight loss, all coming on the road.
Colby Tilley’s squad tied the score, 9-9, early and held the Hatters scoreless for the next two minutes before a 13-1 run over the next five minutes by the home team put Stetson ahead 22-10. KSU trimmed the deficit to seven after a jumper by Smith, who finished with nine points, made the score 26-19. However, Stetson would reel off the next six points to take their largest lead of the first half at 16, 35-19.
The Hatters would head to the locker room with a 38-22 advantage after the first 20 minutes, the Lady Owls having shot just 8-39 from the floor before intermission.
The Lady Owls will finally get a taste of home cooking next Saturday, when they host Florida Gulf Coast in an A-Sun contest at the KSU Convocation Center. Tip-off is slated for 5 p.m.
