By: KSU Sports Information
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Postgame Notes
KENNESAW, Ga. –
Lisa Capellan’s jumper with 10 seconds left broke a 68-68 tie as the Kennesaw State women’s basketball team held on for a dramatic, 70-68, win over Mercer on Saturday night at the KSU Convocation Center.
The victory moves the Lady Owls into sole possession of fourth place, and just one game back of third place, in the Atlantic Sun Conference standings with a record of 12-13 (7-7 A-Sun). The loss drops the Bears to 4-21 (2-12 A-Sun) for the season. The win also pushes KSU’s home winning streak to four games which is the longest streak of home victories since the 2000-01 season when KSU won seven straight.
The first half was a back and forth affair as the two teams combined for six ties and seven lead changes in the first 20 minutes. Junior
Chelcey Farrar had a huge first half as she scored 13 of her 15 points in the opening period to help Kennesaw State take a 38-34 lead into the locker room.
However, Mercer was the team who started the second half with more energy as the Bears used a 14-7 run to take the lead at 48-45 with 13 minutes left in the game. From that point on no team took a lead bigger than five points as both squads played with a lot of effort and passion as neither team wanted to lose to their in-state rival.
With the game tied at 66-66 with 46 seconds left, redshirt-freshman
Taylor Mills made two clutch free throws to put the Lady Owls back in front. Mercer then responded with a layup from Alex Phillips to tie the game for the 13th time at 68-68 with 34 seconds remaining. KSU had the last shot to win it and Capellan came through draining a jumper from the top of the key with ten seconds left. The Bears launched a desperation three with two seconds left on the clock, but it was off the mark giving the Lady Owls the win in a thrilling finish.
After the game head coach
Colby Tilley talked about his team’s final possession. “We had the final play drawn up for Taylor to go back door, but she couldn’t get a shot off over her defender,” coach Tilley said. “After that we had to pull the ball back out and we wanted to try to get Lisa a little closer to the basket for that shot, but she came through and gave us a great victory tonight.”
Freshman
Kristina Wells led four KSU players in double-figures as she flirted with a triple-double in the game finishing with 16 points, nine rebounds and a career-high six assists. Wells became the first KSU player this season to lead the team in points, rebounds and assists in a game. Mercer got 39 points from Briana Williams in the losing effort.
Kennesaw State now hits the road for its final road trip of the 2011-12 regular season as it travels to the River City to take on Jacksonville on Feb. 16 at 7 p.m.
