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NEW YORK CITY – The Kennesaw State women's basketball team wrapped up its Thanksgiving holiday trip on a high note as the Owls combined a strong start with free throws down the stretch to earn a 66-62 win over Ivy League foe Columbia on Saturday afternoon (Nov. 29) in Levien Gymnasium.
 
"I am extremely proud of wining on the road," said head coach Nitra Perry. #Any time you win on the road is a huge win. I thought we were resilient today and we out-toughed them towards the end and we executed some things that we have not even practiced, so I was really proud of everybody. Jas McAllister had another double-double and paced us. Kristina Wells brought tremendous energy and really started the game off right for us. We had four players in double figures, so just extremely excited for another team victory for us. We are looking to take this momentum back to our in-state rival Georgia State."
 
The Owls (4-2), who are off to their best start since the 2004-05 season, had four players in double figures for the third consecutive game with junior Jasmine McAllister leading the way with her fourth double-double of the year with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Senior Kristina Wells added 13 points, eight boards and four assists.
 
KSU jumped out to an early 10-3 lead as four of the five starters recorded baskets in the fast start, before the Lions (3-4) scored back-to-back baskets to cut the lead to three.
 
The Owls then went on a 16-4 run to take its largest lead of the half at 15 points for a 26-11 advantage with six minutes left in the half. The teams would trade scores to send the game into intermission with KSU leading 35-24.
 
Out of intermission, the Owls pushed its lead back to 43-28 with 16:28 on the clock, but the Lions battled back to cut the lead to two following an 11-3 run late in the second half.
 
The Owls responded with strong play on the defensive end, before junior Karly Frye and sophomore Deandrea Sawyers converted on a pair of free throws each to push the KSU advantage back to 60-54. The Owls then iced the 66-62 victory with more freebies down the stretch as KSU converted 17-of-25 free throws in the second half.
 
Sawyers chipped in 12 points in the win, while redshirt-senior Breonna Mosely added 11 points, including 10 first-half points.
 
 
As the team, KSU shot 40.8 percent and made 20-of-49 field goals. The Owls also outrebounded Columbia, 35-33 and grabbed 11 offensive boards that they converted for 12 second chance points.
 
Camille Zimmerman led the Lions with 17 points in the loss.
 
Kennesaw State next returns to the state of Georgia to conclude its six-game road swing as the Owls travel to crosstown rival Georgia State on Wednesday, Dec. 3. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. ET at the GSU Sports Arena 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.