By: KSU Sports Information Department
Live Stats
KENNESAW, Ga. – The Kennesaw State Lady Owls open the 2010-11 home schedule on Friday evening when they host the Alabama State Lady Hornets at the KSU Convocation Center.
Kennesaw State (1-2) will look to get in the win column again after dropping a, 79-60, decision to Georgia Tech on Wednesday evening in Atlanta. Both Lady Owls losses have come to Atlantic Coast Conference teams after KSU fell to Miami (Fla.) in the season opener.
Alabama State (1-1) is not a stranger to ACC opponents as they lost to Florida State, 89-39, in their season opener before an 18-point win over Mobile on Tuesday night.
“Tonight’s another important game for our young team,” said head coach Colby Tilley. “We are still trying to build confidence leading up to our conference game and tonight is going to be a big test.”
Tanika Jackson has been the catalyst for Alabama State, averaging 15.5 points and 11.0 rebounds. The Saginaw, Mich. Native is coming off an 18-point, 17-rebound game and has led the Lady Hornets in scoring and rebounds in their first two games.
“Alabama State likes to the floor and we need to conscious of our transition game,” commented Tilley. “If we play with awareness and get back on defense we will be able to have success.”
Point guard Angie Smith continues her solid play and leading KSU in scoring. The junior is coming off a season-high, 22-point performance at Georgia Tech in which she led all scorers. The Fort Lauderdale, Fla. native is averaging 17 points, one of two players scoring in double figures along with Sametria Gideon who is averaging 10.3 points per game.
The Lady Owls will need to improve on their shooting, which is at 31.5 percent after three games. While the Black and Gold shot 41.1 percent from the field in their win over Florida Atlantic, they are shooting 27.3 from the field in their two losses.
“One thing we need to do tonight is make out shots,” said Tilley. “We have been getting good looks, but we have been inconsistent in our shooting and that needs to change.”
Only Elaina Gray, who is averaging a solid 24 minutes off the bench, is shooting over 50 percent (8-for-16) from the field. The Lady Owls starters have struggled to find their shot early in the year, making just 28 percent of their shots with no player hitting on more than 36 percent from the field.
Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. with coverage on A-Sun.TV beginning at 6:55 p.m. with Dave Albert doing play-by-play.
