GAME NOTES | LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO | LIVE AUDIO
GAME NO. 12 | DEC. 28, 2012
KENNESAW STATE VS GARDNER WEBB | 7:00 P.M. ET
KENNESAW, Ga. | KSU CONVOCATION CENTER (4,600)
THE GAME:
The Kennesaw State women’s basketball team returns to the KSU Convocation Center well-rested after the holiday break, looking to remain undefeated on its home court this season against Gardner Webb on Friday, Dec. 28, at 7 p.m. ET.
The Big South Conference opponent will be the last tune-up match before starting Atlantic Sun Conference play for the Owls, who now sit at 4-7 overall after one of the black and gold’s most impressive wins to date, 53-39 over Georgia Southern.
KSU is 2-0 at home after its defeat of the Eagles and will face a tough, defensive-minded opponent in 6-5 Gardner Webb.
THE COVERAGE
LIVE VIDEO: A-Sun Television will have a live stream of Friday’s game from Kennesaw, Ga., starting at 7 p.m.
AUDIO: Play-by-play will be available from Kennesaw State with Ben Poplin narrating the action from courtside.
LIVE STATS: Statistical updates will be available from KSUOwls.com at the start of the game.
THE OPPONENT
Gardner Webb boasts one of the top defenses in the country so far in 2012-13, holding opponents to just 53.4 points per game with a field-goal percentage of just .316.
The Bulldogs are coming in off of a 54-32 trouncing of North Carolina Central, but have struggled on the road, holding just a 1-2 record away from home.
Offensively, juniors Jasmine Dale and Catrina Green are averaging one-third of the team’s total points for head coach Rick Reeves.
THE SERIES
Kennesaw State leads the all-time series, 3-2, taking last season’s meeting in commanding fashion, 68-48, in Boiling Springs, N.C.
Sametria Gideon (Madison, Ala./Bob Jones HS) was good for a double-double as the Owls had five players in double-figures scoring including Gideon,
Ashley Holliday (Greenville, S.C./J.L. Mann Academy) and
Kristina Wells (Douglasville, Ga./Douglas County HS).
LAST OUTING
The Owls defeated the Eagles of Georgia Southern, 53-39, back on Dec. 21, 2012 with senior Gideon leading the way with her fifth double-double of the season as the she finished the game with 15 points and 15 rebounds.
The second period was the difference for the Owls as they opened the half on an 11-0 run, led by three three-pointers from senior Holliday to take a 25-20 lead.
The black and gold dominated on the boards, bringing in a season-high 46 rebounds to the Eagle’s 29 with Gideon’s 15 tops for both teams. Wells was right behind with 14 and four steals as Gideon also finished with three blocks.
Kennesaw State again played a well-disciplined game, committing just nine fouls, allowing the Eagles only three made free throws.
THE NUMBERS
Kennesaw State is allowing opponents to just a .263 shooting percentage from beyond the Arc, the second best perimeter defense in the A-Sun.
The Owls now rank 11
th in the country in fewest personal fouls per game with an 11.5 fouls per game average.
Gideon is 49
th in the NCAA in rebounds per game with 10.8.
NEXT UP
Kennesaw State will continue its five-game home stand on New Year’s Eve, hosting Florida Gulf Coast in the A-Sun opener for both teams at 2:30 p.m.
NEWS AND NOTES
Holliday’s Hot Hand
Holliday continues to have the hot hand for the Owls, scoring 20-plus points in back-to-back games and double-digit points in three straight. The senior was good for 25 during the win at UNC Asheville on five three-pointers followed by a 23-point outing at Texas State with 10 made field goals. Holliday is now averaging 10.8 points per contest, shooting 32-percent from beyond the arc with a team-high 19 threes.
Undefeated at Home
The Owls remain at home in the KSU Convocation Center where they are undefeated this season, defeating Troy 72-65 in the home opener before taking down the Eagles before the break.
Gideon back averaging a double-double
Gideon is once again averaging a double-double on the year with 10.9 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. The senior has five double-doubles this season and has had eight games with either double-digit rebounds or points.
Seniors Leading the Way
During the last two games alone for the Owls, seniors Gideon and Holliday have combined for over half of Kennesaw State’s total points, putting in 58 of the 114 total points over the span.
To keep up with the latest Kennesaw State women’s basketball news follow the team on Twitter
@KSUOwlNation and
@KSUOwlsWBB or by liking Kennesaw State University on Facebook.
Kennesaw State University is celebrating 30 years of intercollegiate athletics during the 2012-13 academic year.
