Score: Kennesaw State 65, Western Carolina 53
Records: Kennesaw State (2-4), Western Carolina (2-4)
Key Players:  Allison Johnson (12 points); Jasmine McAllister (15 points, 13 rebounds); Clara Young (10 points).
 
Box Score (XML) | Box Score (PDF) | Postgame Presser | Highlights
 
KENNESAW, Ga. – Freshman forward Allison Johnson scored a career-high 12 points and senior forward Jasmine McAllister recorded a double-double with 13 points and 15 rebounds to lead Kennesaw State to a 65-53 victory over Western Carolina during the opening day of the KSU Thanksgiving Classic Saturday at the KSU Convocation Center.
 
The Owls (2-4) broke open a close game with a 12-0 run early in the fourth quarter that built their lead to 49-35 with 6:35 remaining. The run was sparked by a tenacious KSU defense that held the Catamounts (2-4) scoreless for four minutes.
 
Joining Johnson and McAllister in double figures was redshirt sophomore guard Clara Young who contributed 10 points, while senior guard Karly Frye totaled a game-high five assists.
 
Kennesaw State used its size advantage to post a 42-27 rebounding advantage and outscore Western Carolina, 48-28, in the paint.
 
The Owls held a 25-23 halftime lead as Johnson scored eight points and McAllister grabbed eight rebounds.  
 
Up Next
Kennesaw State concludes play in the KSU Thanksgiving Classic on Sunday when it hosts New Orleans at the KSU Convocation Center beginning at 4:30 p.m.  
 
Coach Perry Quote
"I really felt like we needed to get back home and get our swag back. I think all the players laid it all on the line and tonight was one of our best rebounding efforts. We took good care of the ball even when they pressed us. We kept our composure tonight and our team chemistry is coming together. Everyone had each others backs and it was good to see."
 - Kennesaw State Head Coach Nitra Perry

Notes
- Saturday's meeting between Kennesaw State and Western Carolina marked the first meeting between the two programs.
- Kennesaw State improved to 2-1 at the KSU Convocation Center this season.
- The 65 points scored by Kennesaw State is a season-high in a regulation game this season. The Owls tallied 67 points in a 69-67 loss to Florida A&M.
- Freshman forward Allison Johnson's career-high 12 points bested her previous personal-best of six points accomplished at Jacksonville State and Florida A&M.
- Senior forward Jasmine McAllister recorded her third double-double of the season and equaled her season-high with 15 rebounds that was previously accomplished against Presbyterian.
- In outrebounding Western Carolina, 42-27, Kennesaw State had its largest rebounding advantage of the season, eclipsing the previous best of plus-14 accomplished in a 49-47 win over Presbyterian. KSU has out-rebounded its opponents in three of six games this season, and its 42 equaled a season-high.
- Jasmine McAllister has been the Owls' leading rebounder in five of six games this season.

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