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KENNESAW, Ga. – Despite a second half comeback, the Kennesaw State women's basketball team fell short against rival Georgia State, 60-54, on Tuesday night (Dec. 3) at the KSU Convocation Center.
 
"I was proud of the way that we fought tonight," said head coach Nitra Perry. "I think every game we have improved in an area. This game I thought we did a much better job of rebounding and blocking out. Down the stretch our execution was not what it needed to be and that was the same situation at Murray State. When you have a young team you are going to have moments like that."
 
Freshman guard Deandrea Sawyers continued to lead the Owls (1-6) offensively with 16 points on the night, while junior guard Kristina Wells came within two points and two steals of a triple-double with eight points, 11 rebounds and a career-high eight steals.
 
A slow start to the contest put the Owls in an early four-point deficit at 5-1, before KSU used a 7-0 run on the strength of layups from Wells and junior forward Valescia Dixon and a three-pointer from freshman forward Aareon Smith to take a 12-11 lead with 8:48 remaining in the first half.
 
KSU held onto its lead until the Panthers (3-6) made a late rally at the end of the half to go into intermission leading 19-16.
 
GSU carried its momentum into the second half, pushing its lead to 28-19, the biggest of the game for the Panthers. Despite the nine-point deficit the Owls continued to battle and used a 10-3 run to tie the contest at 35-35 with 8:54 remaining on the clock.
 
The Panthers sprinted back out to a 40-35 lead with back-to-back baskets from Gaby Moss, before a pair of free throws from junior guard Bria Young cut the GSU lead to three at 40-37.
 
GSU answered with a five-point run of its own from Moss and Kendra Long to push its lead back to eight at 45-37. The two teams then traded baskets before the Panthers took control for good on a trey from Moss with less than a minute remaining to give the Panthers a seven-point lead at 58-51. A pair of Long free throws then sealed the 60-54 win for GSU.
 
Smith added nine points, all coming beyond the arc, and six rebounds, while Dixon collected eight rebounds for KSU. Freshman forward Gratia Brooks added eight points and six boards on the night.
 
The Owls continued its dominance on the glass, outrebounding the Panthers 43-38, including 18 offensive boards, but were hampered by 21 turnovers which GSU turned into 16 points.
 
Haley Gerrin led the Panthers with 14 points and seven rebounds.
 
After a nine-day layoff, the Owls will embark on a tough two-game road trip, traveling to Murfreesboro, Tenn., for a contest against Middle Tennessee State at noon on Thursday, Dec. 12, before facing KSU's second Southeastern Conference (SEC) foe in Georgia at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15 in Athens, Ga.
 
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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