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KENNESAW, Ga. – It was a total team effort as the Kennesaw State women's basketball team earned an 83-79 win over Alabama A&M on Sunday afternoon (Dec. 29) in the KSU Convocation Center.
 
The Owls, now 2-9 on the season, registered four players in double figures, led by 22 points, including five three-pointers, from freshman guard Deandrea Sawyers. Junior guard Kristina Wells again came within two assists of a triple double with 14 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists.
 
KSU came out ready to play, jumping out to an early 11-4 lead in the first four minutes of the game, highlighted by a pair of three-pointers from Wells and a third from junior guard Bria Young.
 
The Owls continued to hold the lead throughout the half, despite the Bulldogs (2-8) twice cutting the KSU to one. Leading 19-18, the Owls used a 14-5 run midway through the period to build its largest lead at 33-23 at the 4:40 mark of the half. Freshman forward Aareon Smith led the KSU charge with eight points in the run.
 
Alabama A&M then responded with its own 14-5 run to close the half trailing the Owls 38-37 heading into intermission.
 
Coming out of the break, the Owls and the Bulldogs traded baskets before a Brittney Strickland layup gave Alabama A&M its first lead since the opening minute of the game at 49-48.
 
The second half would see six lead changes and four ties, as both teams battled for the win. A Sawyers three-pointer gave back the lead to the Owls at 63-61 with eight minutes remaining.
 
With the Owls leading 74-69, Alabama A&M sprinted ahead by three with an 8-0 run and a 77-74 lead.
 
A three-pointer from Young then tied the game at 74-74 with a minute and a half remaining, before a layup from freshman forward Gratia Brooks put the Owls up 79-77, a lead in which KSU would not relinquish. After a pair of missed free throws from the Bulldogs, Brooks and Sawyers sealed the 83-79 win for the Owls with four free throws from the duo.
 
KSU set new season highs in points (83), field goals made (30), three-point field goals made (11) and assists (17) against Alabama A&M, while only registering 13 turnovers, the second-fewest giveaways this season.
 
The Owls won the rebounding battle, 36-34, and collected 16 offensive boards, which translated into 14 second chance points. Freshman forward Chloe Branch grabbed a career-high eight boards in the win, while also posting a pair of blocks.
 
For the game, KSU shot 44.8 percent from the field, including a season-high 42.3 percent from three-point land.
 
Brooks bested her previous career-high with 16 points, including a 4-of-4 mark from the charity stripe, while Young poured in 10 points and three assists.
 
Jasmine Sanders tallied 27 points and 12 rebounds for the Bulldogs, with Brittney Strickland adding 20 points in the loss.
 
Kennesaw State continues its four-game home stand in the New Year as the Owls open Atlantic Sun Conference play against Jacksonville on Thursday, Jan. 2 at the KSU Convocation Center. Game time is set for 7 p.m. ET.
 
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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