KENNESAW STATE 92, COASTAL GEORGIA 56 Box Score (PDF) Box Score (XML)

KENNESAW, Ga. – First-year head coach Agnus Berenato's mantra heading into the 2016-17 season is to "Embrace the Pace".
 
During Sunday's exhibition game against Coastal Georgia, the Kennesaw State women's basketball team did just that during a 92-56 victory over the Mariners at the KSU Convocation Center.
 
Berenato's desire to go rim-to-rim, rebound and run was on display as the Owls were able to execute their coach's style play. Led by senior Aareon Smith, who scored a game-high 25 points, Kennesaw State had four players finish in double figures.
 
Junior Kelly Dulkoski scored 17 points, while junior Clara Young chipped in 13 points, nine rebounds and six assists, while freshman Carlotta Gianolla, who made her collegiate debut, added 12 points and 10 rebounds despite picking up three fouls in the first quarter and sitting for the remainder of the first half.
 
"I thought our players ran our system fairly well and I think every day they will get a better understanding of it," Berenato said. "The team that you are seeing on November 6 is by no means the team that you will see in February because everything is so new right now and there is so much uncertainty. But, overall I was really pleased with the effort of the team."
 
Berenato highlighted the play of Young, Smith and Gianolla.
 
"I loved the play of Clara Young. I think Clara really did a great job handling the team offensively," Berenato said. "She put the team on her back and was able to score for us, get steals defensively and was able to calm everyone down.
 
"Aareon was able to do a really nice job stepping in and had some really big three's early on in the game," Berenato added. "We had some beautiful, wide open shots but we missed them. I finally just said to everyone to use their legs, and then Kelly hit one, then Aareon and then it was okay. They made adjustments to what I had to say and I was pleased with that."
 
After playing just five minutes in the first half and scoring two points, Gianolla came out after the halftime intermission and had a strong second half.
 
"It was her first college game here in America and she came up with a double-double. She got very frustrated because she picked up a couple quick fouls and that really upset her," Berenato said.  "I think you can see spurts of what a really nice player that Carlotta is and once she gets used to the American way and my system and the way the game is called here she is going to do really well."
 
Kennesaw State finished the game shooting 39.7 percent from the field, including 37.5 percent from behind the three-point arc, and out-rebounded the Mariners, 49-43.
 
NEXT UP: The Owls officially open their 2016-17 season on Friday (Nov. 11) when they travel to Nashville, Tenn. to take on Vanderbilt beginning at 8 p.m. (ET). Kennesaw State will officially open its home season on Nov. 14 when it hosts Jacksonville State at the KSU Convocation Center. Tip-off is 4:30 p.m.

To keep up with the latest Kennesaw State women's basketball news follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and or by liking Kennesaw State University on Facebook. Follow Coach Berenato on Twitter @KSUCoachB.