Score: Kennesaw State 53, USC Upstate 61
Records: Kennesaw State (9-15, 4-5), USC Upstate (16-8, 7-2)
Key Players: Jasmine McAllister (15 points, 4 rebounds); Kelly Dulkoski (13 points); Clara Young (7 points, 4 rebounds); Karly Frye (4 rebounds, 5 assists)

Box Score (PDF) | Box Score
 
KENNESAW, GA.  – The Kennesaw State women's basketball team to its defense in the second half, but the grind-it-out style of play could not overcome a six-point halftime deficit and fell to the visiting USC Upstate at the KSU Convocation Center on Wednesday (Feb. 10) evening.
 
Playing in front of 253 fans in an Atlantic Sun Conference showdown, senior Jasmine McAllister paced the Owls with 15 points and five rebounds, while redshirt sophomore Kelly Dulkoski chipped in with 13 points. The two combined for 28 points on 10-for-22 shooting, good for 52 percent of KSU's scoring and half of its field goals.
 
Trailing 45-36 with 9:11 remaining in the contest, Kennesaw State turned up it pressure and used its momentum-gaining-third-quarter to use an 8-0 run to claw within one with 5:36 remaining in regulation. Back-to-back 3-pointers from junior Aareon Smith led the attack during the run and a lay-up from Deandrea Sawyers sealed the KSU rush.

However, the Spartans did not surrender their lead and never trailed in the second half, holding off KSU's push to win its seventh league game of the season.  
 
Trailing by six entering the second half, Kennesaw State turned up its defensive pressure and forced the Spartans to shoot 2-for-20 (10 percent) in the quarter. The Owls also recorded two steals and forced three turnovers to keep Upstate off its rhythm on the offensive end in the frame.

The defensive, grind-it-out style of play turned into offense for the Owls, as McAllister scored three straight baskets and Iceis Walker hit a running lay-up inside to claw within four points heading to the final 10 minutes of regulation.

For the game, The Owls held Upstate to 19-of-62 (30.6 percent) from the floor overall, and 4-of-9 from beyond the arc. Kennesaw State forced 18 turnovers in the game and totaled 10 steals on the defensive end. On the other end, Kennesaw State shot 20-for-60 from the field and 6-of-20 from deep.
 
Next
Kennesaw State will return to the KSU Convocation for an Atlantic Sun Conference showdown on Saturday (Feb. 13) against Jacksonville. The contest will be broadcasted on ESPN3 and tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.
 
Coach Perry Quote
"We have always talked about having a defensive mindset and how defense wins games. We played with a lot of grit tonight and displayed an impressive effort on that end of the floor. Tonight, I feel like we got all the shots we wanted on the offensive end and just couldn't finish. We had two or three possessions where we didn't take advantage towards the end of the game."
 - Kennesaw State Head Coach Nitra Perry
 
Notes
- The meeting marked the 34^th all-time meeting between the two programs dating back to 1991-92 season.
-  For the 17^th time this season, Jasmine McAllister scored in double-figure scoring.
- Kelly Dulkoski also scored in double-figure scoring, it marked the 14^th time this season she elapsed the double-figure digits.
- Dulkoski and McAllister combined to score 28 of the Owls' 53 points, good for 52 percent of their points in the game.
- Dulkoski and McAllister also shot a combined 10-for-22 in the game, making half of KSU's field goals from the floor.
- Sawyers is now 44 points away from 1,000 career points She would be the third player to accomplish the milestone since the Owls turned Division I in 2005-06.

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.