MERCER 61, KENNESAW STATE 46 Box Score (PDF) | Box Score (XML)

MACON, Ga. – Without the threat of an inside presence, the Kennesaw State women's basketball team struggled offensively and fell 61-46 to Mercer Saturday (Dec. 3) at Hawkins Arena.
 
The Bears (7-1), ranked No. 18 in the Collegeinsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 poll, broke open a two-point game at halftime by outscoring the Owls (1-6) 24-7 in the third quarter en route to their sixth straight win.
 
"The third quarter was the killer for us. We just could not score and the game got away from us," head coach Agnus Berenato said. "In the fourth quarter we were able to make some three's and cut the lead to nine, and then had to start fouling and they made their free throws."
 
Junior guard Kelly Dulkoski led Kennesaw State with a game-high 16 points.
 
Due to injuries, the Owls opened the game with five guards on the floor and the small lineup paid dividends early as Kennesaw State's quickness and pressure forced the Bears into 10 first-quarter turnovers that led to a 10-4 lead after 10 minutes.
 
"Mercer leads the nation in fewest turnovers per game (9.9) and for us to force 12 in the first half is just amazing," Berenato said. "Our game plan going in was to play aggressive and were able to execute it in the first half. We were resilient and came at them hard, and I think we surprised them."
 
However, a six-minute scoring drought by the Owls in the second quarter enabled Mercer to go on a 7-0 run and end the first half with a 20-18 lead.
 
Unable to connect from behind the arc in the first half, Kennesaw State used the 3-pointer to cut a 19-point deficit heading into the fourth quarter to nine points when Dulkoski hit a trey with 5:44 remaining. The Owls finished 5-for-24 from behind the arc, four coming in the fourth quarter.
 
Dulkoski accounted for four of the five 3-pointers made by the Owls, with Clara Young, who finished with eight points, connecting on the other as Kennesaw State made its fourth-quarter run and out-scored Mercer, 21-17 in the final period.
 
Despite its difficulties offensively, Kennesaw State held Mercer below its season scoring average of 70.0 points a game, and limited the Bears' top two scorers, Khalia Lawrence (18.6 ppg.) and Keke Calloway (16.7 ppg), to eight and four points, respectively.
 
NEXT UP
Kennesaw State will have 10 days off as it prepares for finals before returning to action on Dec. 11 when the Owls face Austin Peay in Clarksville, Tenn. Tip-off is 8 p.m. (ET).
 
"The break is good as it will allow us to focus academically and set a program record for grade-point average, which is very important to us as we work on becoming better student-athletes for Kennesaw State," Berenato said. "We have some people banged up right and we will use these next 10 days to hopefully get them back for our next game."
 
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.