By: by Jason Hanes
Box Score
BOCA RATON, Fla. - Sametria Gideon had 19 points and 15 rebounds as the Kennesaw State women's basketball team earned its first win of the season with a, 65-64, decision over Florida Atlantic at FAU Arena Sunday afternoon.
The game was tight throughout the second half, as Florida Atlantic (1-1) rallied back to cut Kennesaw State's lead to one on four occasions. Each time, the Lady Owls would respond to maintain the lead. With the score 57-56, a lay-up by Angie Smith stretched the lead back to three, 59-56. After an FAU bucket cut the lead back to one, Taylor Mills connected on a pair of free-throws to push KSU back ahead by three, 61-58. A pair of free-throws cut the lead back down to one, but a bucket by Smith pushed the lead back to three, 63-60. With 39 seconds left, FAU cut the lead to one again with a bucket, but Smith calmly drained a pair of free throws with 14 seconds left to ice the game, as FAU could only cut the score to one due to KSU not allowing a 3-point opportunity in the final seconds.
The Lady Owls (1-1) led by as many as 13 in the second half before FAU went on a 10-0 run to cut the lead to three. KSU would answer back, stretching the lead back to 12, 49-37.
Gideon scored 12 of her points in the first half as the Lady Owls built a, 35-23, lead. The sophomore also pulled down eight rebounds in the opening stanza.
Smith had 17 points for the Lady Owls, while Mills chipped in 10. As a team, the Lady Owls shot 41.1 percent (23-of-56) for the contest and took advantage at the chartiy stripe, connecting on 16 attempts compared to just nine for FAU.
Vontrice Dennis had a double-double for FAU with 16 points and 14 rebounds.
The Lady Owls will be back in action this Wednesday at 7 p.m. when they face metro Atlanta rival Georgia Tech. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m.
