MOREHEAD STATE 71, KENNESAW STATE 50 Box Score (PDF) | Box Score (XML) | Highlights

KENNESAW, Ga. – Senior guard Deandrea Sawyers scored a season and game-high 17 points to lead Kennesaw State during a 71-50 setback to Morehead State Saturday (Dec. 17) afternoon at the KSU Convocation Center.
 
A slow start put the Owls (1-8) in an early hole as the Eagles (9-3) used their size and athleticism to jump out to a 10-0 lead and seized control of the game. Kennesaw State missed its first nine shots before Sawyers hit a 3-point basket at the 4:40 mark of the first quarter.
 
"It was uphill from the very beginning. They came out and applied a lot of pressure and we missed our first nine shots, and you can't dig yourself a hole like that," head coach Agnus Berenato said. "To me, that is what started it and we never recovered.
 
"After we came out at halftime, we were able to win the third quarter, which was great, and then we missed a couple shots and a couple rebounds here and there," Berenato added. "The size difference was huge. They had the better athletes and the better players today, and they're the better team."
 
Junior guard Clara Young, who finished with 10 points, hit two big 3-pointers in the third quarter that helped Kennesaw State win the period, 17-16.
 
Sawyers, who recorded her second straight double-digit scoring game, scored 12 of her 17 points in the first half. The Owls' guard connected on 6-of-11 field goal attempts, including 2-of-4 from beyond the 3-point arc.
 
"Deandrea played great. She's a senior and I think when you have seniors, they have to step up," Berenato said.
 
Freshman Carlotta Gianolla, starting her second straight game after missing six contests with an injury, scored nine points and grabbed a career-high six rebounds, while junior Deja McPhee led the Owls with nine rebounds.
 
Morehead State was led by forward Eriel McKee, who recorded a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Guards Aaliyah Wells and Darianne Seward also finished in double figures for the Eagles with 15 and 12 points, respectively.
 
NEXT UP
Kennesaw State returns to action on Monday (Dec. 17) when it opens play at the Puerto Rico Classic in Las Vegas, Nev. The Owls will take on Arkansas State at the South Point Arena beginning at 3 p.m. (ET).
 
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.