By: by Jason Hanes
NASHVILLE - Sametria Gideon led three Lady Owls in double figures in scoring with 14 points, but it was not enough as the Kennesaw State women's basketball team fell, 71-55, to Belmont in the Atlantic Sun Conference opener for KSU.
"While we outscored Belmont in the second half, it was falling behind early in the game that really put us in a tough spot," KSU head coach Colby Tilley said. "We need to make sure that our players come out and give it the effort that we need to have from them from the beginning."
After a 3-point play by KSU's Brandi Jones tied the score, 7-7, just over three minutes into the contest, Belmont went on an 18-2 run over the next seven minutes to push the lead out to 16, 25-10. While KSU would whittle the lead back down to nine, 28-19, after a jumper by Lisa Capellan, the Bruins would go on a 12-1 spurt over the next three minutes to stretch the lead to 20, 40-20.
The Lady Owls fought hard in the second half, out-scoring Belmont, 14-4, in the paint and, 15-5, off turnovers. Still, the deficit was too great as KSU could get no closer than 14 points in the second half.
KSU (2-5, 0-1) out-rebounded Belmont, 36-35, and had more steals by a 13-6 margin. Tamasha Bolden joined Gideon in double-figures with 12 points while Angie Smith chipped in 10.
Haley Nelson led all Belmont (4-5, 1-1) scorers with 16 points. Shaunda Strayhorn had a triple-double for Belmont, scoring 11 points while adding 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Strayhorn took and made a 3-pointer with 21 seconds left in the game with her team up 15 points to earn her final points.
KSU will be back in action this Saturday when it faces Lipscomb in another A-Sun contest. Tipoff in Nashville at Allen Arena is set for 6 p.m. CST.
