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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Behind a pair of double-double performances from junior Jasmine McAllister and redshirt-senior Breonna Mosely, the Kennesaw State women's basketball team earned a 65-56 road win over Tennessee State in the Gentry Center on Monday (Nov. 17) night.
 
"Overall I am just extremely excited about getting a road win," said head coach Nitra Perry. "It speaks volumes on the character of the team. There were a couple of small, big things that we need to work on. We had several turnovers that were unforced because we were being casual with the ball, but I think we learned our lesson and it did not result in a loss, so I am happy about that. We also had another great night at the free throw line, which is something we focus on, so I am pleased that it paid off in the game."
 
With the 2-0 start, the Owls are off to their best start since the 2007-08 season, when KSU also began the year with a pair of victories.
 
"Jasmine McAllister had her first double-double since she has been here, which was great to see," added Perry. "Neffie Lockley stepped up and had some great rebounds. She had some shot opportunities that did not fall for her, but again another freshman coming off the bench, knowing their assignment and doing their job. It is something that we reiterate all the time, so I was extremely proud of her. Aareon Smith came in and had a key offensive board. They laid it all on the line and everyone did their job. I was just proud of them for continuing to fight, because playing on the road is not always going to be pretty. It was an ugly win, but we are growing and every day we are progressing and getting better."
 
McAllister led KSU with a game-high 25 points and 14 rebounds, while Mosely registered 13 points and 10 rebounds in the win.
 
After the Tigers (0-2) jumped out to a 5-0 lead to open the contest, sophomore Deandrea Sawyers drained back-to-back buckets to make it 5-4.
 
TSU scored the next four points for a 9-4 advantage, before the Owls went on a 15-0 run over the next eight and a half minutes to build a 19-9 lead with McAllister and senior Kristina Wells combining for 12 points during the run.
 
The lead reached its largest of the half at 12 with a 23-11 advantage for the Owls, but TSU used a 14-4 run to close within 27-25 with just over a minute remaining in the first half. A pair of free throws each from McAllister and junior Karly Frye in the final seconds of the period then sent the Owls into halftime leading 31-25.
 
The second half opened at a blistering pace as KSU drained its first seven shots of the half to build a 10-point lead at 45-35 with 15:51 left on the clock. Despite the deficit, the Tigers battled their way back into the contest with a mini 7-2 to come within 51-49 at the 10-minute mark of the half.
 
KSU pushed its lead back to 55-49 on a layup from McAllister, but five-straight points from the Tigers trimmed the Owl lead to one at 55-54 with just over seven minutes left to play.
 
Over the final minutes of the half, the Owls stayed composed and held strong defensively, allowing only two TSU points in the final six minutes of the contest. Back-to-back layups from McAllister and Mosely gave the Owls breathing room, before KSU cemented the 65-56 victory with free throws from Wells and Mosely.
 
Wells posted 13 points for the Owls, including a 7-of-7 effort from the free throw line, and five rebounds. Frye added seven points on 7-of-8 free throws and a game-high seven assists, while Sawyers also poured in seven points in the victory.
 
As a team, KSU shot 40 percent from the field and a scorching 85 percent from the free throw line on a 23-of-27 performance.
 
The Owls outrebounded the Tigers 41-36, grabbing 15 offensive boards for 12 second-chance points.
 
Chelsea Hudson led TSU with 18 points and nine rebounds in the loss.
 
KSU will continue its six-game road trip with a midweek contest against crosstown rival Georgia Tech on Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m., at the McCamish Pavilion in Atlanta.
 
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.