By: by Jason Hanes
KENNESAW, Ga. - Kennesaw State's women's basketball team will take to the court Thursday evening against Jacksonville knowing that the odds will be moving in their favor towards clinching a berth in the Atlantic Sun Conference Championships. When the game tips off at 5 p.m. at the KSU Convocation Center, the Lady Owls will know that a win will almost assure them a spot in the post-season tournament.
KSU (8-17, 5-11) enters Thursday night's game with a three-game lead over Lipscomb for the final spot in the A-Sun Championships, and a one-half game lead over Stetson for the seventh seed in the tournament. A win would also inch KSU closer to its Thursday night foe in the A-Sun standings, potentially netting the Lady Owls a higher seed.
The Lady Owls have been playing their best basketball of the season in recent weeks, winning three of their last four contests. Freshman Brandi Jones was named A-Sun Player of the Week during that stretch, setting her career-high in points on two separate occasions, first at 19 against Mercer and then at 21 against East Tennessee State.
Jacksonville (8-16, 7-9) has a two-game lead on KSU entering the final four games of the season. Earlier this year in Jacksonville, the Dolphins defeated the Lady Owls, 67-55. Lynsey Paschal had 17 points and 15 rebounds for the Dolphins in the victory. On the season, no Dolphin is averaging more than nine points in a game.
Following Thursday's game, the Lady Owls will prepare for Saturday afternoon's final home contest of the season. KSU will face UNF at a special start time of 12 p.m. at the Convocation Center. UNF enters this week's A-Sun contests with a 6-10 conference mark, one game ahead of the Lady Owls and in position for the #6 seed. Prior to Saturday's game, the Lady Owls will honor departing seniors DeAndrea Bullock, Greteya Kelley, Gia Lockett, and Montinique Nixon.
