By: KSU Sports Information
Game Notes I Live Stats
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Coach Tilley Pregame
KENNESAW, Ga. – During the course of a season a team measures its success by how many positive steps it takes throughout the year, and on Saturday the Lady Owls look to take another step forward as they look for their first-ever win over ETSU. Tip-off is scheduled for 12 p.m.
The Lady Bucs have given Kennesaw State its share of heartbreaking losses over the years, but on Saturday KSU looks to earn it’s first-ever win in the series and improve its positioning in the crowded A-Sun standings. After Thursday night’s results, KSU sits in a tie for fifth place just a half game behind ETSU for fourth place.
The Lady Owls opened its home stand on the right foot on Thursday night as they jumped out to a 22-6 lead, and got a career-high 16 points from Lisa Capellan, to defeat USC Upstate, 54-45. After a road trip in which KSU dug itself into an early hole in both games they reversed the trend starting the first 9:41 of the game on a 22-6 run. They would hold on for the win thanks to six clutch free throws from Taylor Mills in the final two minutes of the game.
Capellan finished the game recording a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Junior Sametria Gideon filled up the stat sheet in the win tallying nine points, 14 rebounds, four assists, four blocks and four steals.
In the two teams meeting earlier this season Kennesaw State only had six players available due to a violation of team rules. The Lady Owls played ETSU tough in the first half, but the lack of depth eventually caught up with them in a 77-61 loss.
Senior Tamasha Bolden could provide a spark off the bench for KSU as she has averaged 11.5 points and 9.0 rebounds in her last two games against the Lady Bucs. Head Coach Colby Tilley knows the history of this series, but he feels confident that his team can take that next step and finally earn a win over ETSU.
"First off, we have to play with the same intensity level that we have played with in our last couple games,” coach Tilley said. “Yes, ETSU is the only team we haven’t beaten since we’ve gone Division I, but if we can keep playing hard defensively I think we will be ok. We also have to focus on preventing their penetration into the lane, and try to find a way to contain Destiny Mitchell who is shooting 75 percent from the field in her last five games.”
East Tennessee State (6-16, 5-6 A-Sun) is coming off a 75-59 win at Mercer on Thursday night. The Lady Bucs return three starters from a team that went 19-12 last season. ETSU was picked to finish second in the A-Sun Preseason Media Poll, and is led by sophomore Destiny Mitchell who averages 11.6 ppg and 7.9 rpg.
Fans be sure to get to the game early and join the Owls for the 4th Annual Owls Making Strides 5K Benefitting Breast Cancer Awareness. Walk-up registration is available from 9:30am - 10:30am in front of the KSU Convocation Center.
