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MURRAY, Ky. – The Kennesaw State women's basketball team battled until the end, but it would not be enough as the Owls fell to Murray State, 72-66, on Tuesday night (Nov. 26) at the CFSB Center.
 
"I felt like we battled today, but just came up a little short with the numbers," said head coach Nitra Perry. "Chloe Branch obviously did not play today and I felt like if we had that one more person it might have changed things. Taylor Blackmon is coming along. It is all a building process and we are definitely getting battled-tested. Hopefully next time we will have a better result."
 
Freshman guard Deandrea Sawyers continued her strong play with 24 points, which equals her career high that the Nashville, Tenn., native set in the Owls' last outing against Jacksonville State. Sawyers also notched seven rebounds and two assists on the night. Junior guard Kristina Wells added her third double-double of the season with 16 points and 10 boards, while also posting a pair of steals for KSU.
 
The Owls (1-5) came out ready the play, jumping out to a 14-6 lead in the first four minutes of the game, spurred by five-straight points from junior guard Bria Young.
 
Back-to-back layups from Wells and freshman forward Aareon Smith extended the KSU lead to 24-13, the largest of the game for the Owls.
 
Using a 12-5 run in the final five minutes of the first half, the Racers (4-2) trimmed the Owl lead to one as the game entered intermission with KSU leading 36-35.
 
Coming out of the break both teams traded baskets with neither team able to pull away from the other. The game entered its sixth and final tie at the 9:43 mark at 48-48, before the Racers took command of the contest with a 15-4 run.
 
Trailing 63-52 with 3:31 left in the game the Owls continued to battle, going on their own 9-0 run to cut the MSU lead to two at 63-61 with 1:10 on the clock. Four points each from Sawyers and freshman forward Gratia Brooks highlighted the comeback.
 
MSU responded with two free throws from Taylor Porter to end the KSU run, but a Wells layup again cut the lead to two with 48 seconds remaining. A Keiona Kirby layup and five-straight Racer free throws sealed the game for the home team, before the contest ended on a Sawyers three-pointer at the buzzer for the 72-66 final.
 
Brooks added eight points, including a 4-for-5 mark at the charity stripe, and six boards for the Owls, while junior forward Valescia Dixon crashed the glass for a season-high 10 rebounds.
 
"Deandrea Sawyers is a fighter," said Perry. "She's always been, it is why we recruited her. Aareon has such a great touch on the ball, but we still made newcomer mistakes down the stretch and that is to be expected. I feel like they are learning and picking up things quickly. Gratia Brooks had a couple of rebounds, put-backs and free throws late, so I appreciate her effort tonight. We just have to get better."
 
KSU outrebounded the Racers, 47-35, doubling up MSU on the offensive glass, 18-9, translating into 19 second chance points.
 
Kirby led the Racers with 22 points.
 
The Owls will have a week off for the Thanksgiving Day holiday before returning to the KSU Convocation Center for a 7 p.m. (ET) contest against regional rival Georgia State on Tuesday, Dec. 3.
 
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.
 
Season and single game tickets are currently available for all the home court action for the Owls and can be purchased by following the link HERE.
 
 

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