BOX SCORE (XML) | BOX SCORE (PDF)
 
KENNESAW, Ga. – The Kennesaw State women's basketball team jumped out to an early lead, but ultimately fell 78-61 to Columbia on Saturday afternoon (Dec. 21) in the KSU Convocation Center.
 
"I thought we did a good job competing in the first half," said head coach Nitra Perry. "They went on a run at the end of the first half that I think gave them some confidence. We came out in the second half and they continued that with a string of threes. Defensively, we struggled today. We are always trying to continue to improve. We took three or four steps forward two weeks ago, and now took two or three steps backwards. We are still trying to get that maturity level to compete for 40 minutes day in and day out."
 
Redshirt-senior forward Lisa Capellan was a spark plug in her first start of the season, leading the Owls (1-9) with 13 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three steals. Junior guard Kristina Wells added 15 points and six rebounds for KSU.
 
KSU jumped out to a quick 6-0 start with three-pointers from Wells and freshman guard Deandrea Sawyers and continued to push the pace in the opening minutes as a layup from Capellan gave the Owls their biggest lead of the game at 16-8 at 12:01 mark in the first half.
 
After a Lion three-pointer cut the KSU lead to one, the Owls responded with five straight points from freshman forward Aareon Smith for a 23-17 lead with six minutes remaining in the period.
 
Columbia (2-9) ended the half on an 11-2 run to give the visitors a 28-25 lead at intermission.
 
Out of the break the Lions continued the momentum they gained from the end of the first half, draining four treys in the first six minutes of the half for a 49-33 lead.
 
The Owls twice cut the Columbia lead to 13, but the Lions' hot shooting in the second half, including 50 percent from beyond the arc, would seal the 78-61 win for the Lions.
 
Sawyers poured in 14 points for the Owls, while freshman forward Gratia Brooks scored a career-high 10 points on 3-of-4 night from the field and a 4-of-4 mark from the free throw line.
 
Sara Mead and Taylor Ward led the Lions with 18 and 15 points, respectively, with both knocking down three three-pointers in the contest.
 
Kennesaw State will have the week off for the Christmas holiday before returning to the court for its final nonconference game of the season and the last contest in 2013 as the Owls face Alabama A&M on Sunday, Dec. 29 at 2 p.m. ET at the KSU Convocation Center.
 
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.
 
 

Related Videos

Now Playing:

• Play Video