Score: Kennesaw State 54, Stetson 57
Records: Kennesaw State (7-12, 2-2), Stetson (11-7, 2-2)
Key Players:  Kelly Dulkoski (18 points); Deandrea Sawyers (13 points); Aareon Smith (12 points)
 
Box Score (XML) | Box Score (PDF) | Highlights | Postgame Presser

KENNESAW, Ga.  – Despite a combined 43 points from Kelly Dulkoski, Deandrea Sawyers and Aareon Smith, the Kennesaw State Owls women's basketball team's comeback effort fell just short in an Atlantic Sun Conference tilt to the visiting Hatters of Stetson University, 57-54, at the KSU Convocation Center in front of 420 fans.
 
Redshirt sophomore Kelly Dulkoski lead all scorers with 18 points –two points shy of tying her career high—on 7-of-14 shooting from the field and 4-of-10 from beyond the arc. Sawyers chipped in with 13 points and Smith –a two-time A-Sun Player of the Week in back-to-back weeks—added 12 points on the night.
 
The Owls trailed by as many as 17 points at the 8:46 mark in the fourth quarter, but pulled within three points when Sawyers hit a corner 3-pointer with 45 seconds remaining. After KSU got a defensive stop on the ensuing Stetson possession, the Owls had one final chance to send the game into overtime.
 
With the clock ticking down, Dulkoski's 3-point attempt hit off the back iron and the Hatters pulled down the rebound to secure the win.
 
Kennesaw State outscored Stetson, 21-9, in the final 10 minutes of the game to push the contest to its final possession. Sawyers' nine points in the frame led the way for the Owls, while Smith and Dulkoski added six and four, respectively in the quarter.  
 
The Hatters jumped out to a strong start in the game, shooting over 40 percent from the field in the first half and lead for more than 15 minutes of the first half.
 
Stetson's hot start helped saw its lead jump out to an 18-10 advantaged midway through the second frame, but Kennesaw State's resiliency inspired an 11-0 run to help the Owls sore back into the first half.
 
With 7:33 remaining in the first half, KSU saw Dulkoski hit back-to-back 3-pointers and three free throws from McAllister and a hard-fought lay-up inside from Alexis Jean to help the Owls take a 21-18 advantage for its first lead of the game.
 
Kennesaw State shot just 28.6 percent overall from the field, but made 4-of-10 (40 percent) from beyond the arc and 4-of-5 from the free throw line to stay within seven, 31-24, at halftime.   

Next
Kennesaw State will return to its home floor on Monday (Jan. 25), welcoming Atlantic Sun Conference foe FGCU into town. The contest will be broadcasted on ESPN3, and tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. Stay tuned on KSUOwls.com for any updates on the upcoming schedule with impending weather.
 
Coach Perry Quote
"I thought the fourth quarter we played really, really well. I was disappointed in how we started the game. We are working towards eliminating our slow starts at the beginning of the games. The first half we missed a lot of shots inside and we have to capitalize on those good looks. Down the stretch, I challenge Kelly Dulkoski and she responded well today. I feel we are getting better every day and we want to have urgency the entire game." 
 - Kennesaw State Head Coach Nitra Perry 

Notes
- Saturday's contest marked the 23^rd meeting all-time between the two teams.
- Kelly Dulkoski reached double-figure scoring for the 10^th time this season.
- The home contest marked the first of three straight games in front of the Owl faithful, a floor KSU entered today with a 6-2 mark.
- Jasmine McAllister has pulled down at least 10 rebounds in 10 of the Owls' 19 games this season.
- Aareon Smith reached double-figure scoring numbers for the ninth time this season, following back-to-back weeks named A-SUN Player of the Week.
- Deandrea Sawyers also reached double-figure scoring numbers for the ninth time this season.
- Between Dulkoski, Sawyers, and A. Smith, the trio combined for 43 points in 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.