By: by KSU Sports Information
KENNESAW, Ga. - Kristina Wells had a game-high 13 points and Chelcey Farrar came off the bench to score 12, but a late, 10-0, run by Stetson handed Kennesaw State a, 65-55, loss at the KSU Convocation Center Monday night in Atlantic Sun Conference action.
"We had opportunitites to win the game, but we just didn't make the plays we needed to down the stretch," said KSU head coach Colby Tilley.
Trailing 36-33, the Lady Owls went on an, 11-3, run to gain the lead by five. Wells was the big catalyst during the run, scoring five points during the stretch. With KSU ahead, 44-39, Stetson answered back with seven straight points to regain the lead, 46-44, with 8:45 to go.
The teams would swap baskets back-and-forth, with neither squad leading by more than 3 over the next five minutes of the contest. Trailing 55-52, a 3-pointer by Taylor Mills knotted the score for the 13th and final time at 55-all with 3:41 to go. From there, the Lady Owls would be held scoreless, as the Hatters scored the final 10 points to win the game.
"I think we're getting better, but we just need to get better sooner," said coach Tilley. "We played really hard in all phases of the game against one of the best teams in the conference. But if we want to win, we have to match their level of play for the entire game."
The Lady Owls trailed, 25-20, with 2:45 left in the first half, but KSU held the Hatters scoreless over the remainder of the half. With the defensive intensity at another level, the offense began to come around. After a pair of free-throws by Chelcey Farrar, a three-point play by Elaina Gray with 17 seconds to go knotted the score, 25-25. After a steal by Ashley Holliday, Farrar cleaned up the missed lay-up to give the Lady Owls the lead, 27-25, at the half.
After forcing 15 turnovers in the first half, KSU couldn't force a Hatter turnover in the second. However, the Lady Owls out-rebounded the Hatters, 46-33, with a 19-10 advantage on the offensive glass.
The Lady Owls will be back in action Wednesday afternoon against Florida Gulf Coast. Tipoff is set for 4:45 p.m.
