Score: Kennesaw State 78, Jacksonville 63
Records: Kennesaw State (7-11, 2-1), Jacksonville (11-7, 3-0)
Key Players: Jasmine McAllister (19 points, 9 rebounds); Kelly Dulkoski (11 points, 3-of-6 3-pointers); Deandrea Sawyers (11 points); Free Throws (12-of-15)
 
Box Score (XML) | Box Score (PDF)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.  – Despite a strong effort from senior forward Jasmine McAllister, the Kennesaw State women's basketball team dropped a 78-63 decision at the Historic Swisher Gym to host Jacksonville University on Monday (Jan. 18) evening in an Atlantic Sun Conference tilt.

For the Owls (7-11, 2-1), McAllister was the anchor on both ends of the floor, notching a game-high 19 points and nine rebounds. Kelly Dulkoski and Deandrea Sawyers added 11 points each in the loss. Kennesaw State finished shooting 45.3 (24-of-53) percent and 3-of-11 (27.3 percent) from beyond the arc and an impressive 12-of-15 (80 percent) from the free throw line.  

The Dolphins (11-7, 3-0) posted five players in double-figure scoring, as Sherranda Reddick led JU with 15 points. Christin Mercer added 14 points and eight rebounds and Briona Brown also added 14 points.

After getting outscored 24-9 over the opening 10 minutes of action, the Owls' resiliency showed the remainder of the game as the two teams played to an even 54-54 stalemate over the final 30 minutes of the contest in a back-and-forth A-Sun battle.
 
In fact, after KSU found itself trailing by 15 after the first quarter, the Owls outscored the Dolphins 15-12 in the second to claw within 36-24 at halftime.
 
McAllister, the 6-1 senior from Memphis, Tennessee, led the Owls on both ends of the floor in the first half, tallying 11 points and seven tough rebounds while standing strong in the middle for some loose balls and a block in 15 hard-fought first half minutes.
 
Kennesaw State shot just 36.4 (8-for-22) percent in the first half, but took advantage of making 7-of-8 (87.5 percent) in the first half to keep within striking distance of the Dolphins.
 
KSU's momentum continued early in the third quarter, using a short 6-0 burst to get within 39-30 with 7:35 remaining in the quarter. McAllister proved to be the anchor once more in the run, making a pair of baskets and Sawyers added one of her own to get within single-digits for the first time since early in the second.
 
But, JU used a 9-0 run shortly after and quickly grew its lead to 20 in the third to pull away from the Owls to stay unbeaten in conference action.
 
McAllister totaled eight points and two rebounds in the second half and Dulkoski and Sawyers each added seven. The trio combined for 65 percent of the Owls' points.  

Next
Kennesaw State will return to its home floor holding a 6-2 record at the KSU Convocation, welcoming Stetson and Florida Gulf Coast in a pair of Atlantic Sun Conference tilts on Saturday (Jan. 23) and Monday (Jan. 25), respectively.
 
Coach Perry Quote
"We got off to a slow start in that first quarter, but the positive of that was for the remainder of the game we played evenly with Jacksonville. I thought we did a good job initially handling the pressure. We talk about unforced turnovers and we are still working at getting better at those types of things. Jasmine McAllister played well tonight. She tried to talk us up and provided a lot of energy tonight. It's great to get back home, and we have some good opponents coming up and we will look to bounce back."
 - Kennesaw State Head Coach Nitra Perry

Notes
- Monday's contest marked the 22^nd all-time meeting between the two teams, with JU holding a 15-7 advantage.
- The Owls finished their Jacksonville road trip with a respectable 1-1 mark.
- Jasmine McAllister, Kelly Dulkoski and Deandrea Sawyers combined for 65 percent of the Owls' points.
- KSU totaled 11 assists on 24 field goals.
- Kennesaw State made 12-of-15 free throws, good for 80 percent on the game.

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.