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KENNESAW, Ga. – Returning to the KSU Convocation Center for the first time this season after opening the year with seven straight road games, the Kennesaw State women's basketball took a liking to its home surroundings and turned in an entertaining 71-61 victory over Georgia State on Thursday.
 
Freshman Kamiyah Street scored a game-high 26 points, while freshman Lexi Mann contributed a career-high 11 points and added seven rebounds, and sophomore Carlotta Gianolla chipped in 12 points to lead the Owls (2-6). The win marked Kennesaw State's third straight at home dating back to last season and was KSU's sixth victory in its last seven games at the KSU Convocation Center.
 
STORYLINE
Kennesaw State used a 10-0 run midway through the first quarter to take a 12-7 lead and never trailed the rest of the game, outscoring Georgia State (1-5) in three of the four quarters. The Owls scored a season-high 39 points in the first half to lead 39-26 at halftime. It marked the first time this season KSU took a lead into the second half.
 
Led by Street, who was 5-for-9 from the field and scored 13 points, KSU shot 55.9 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes and finished the game with a season-best 49.1 percent (27-for-55) field goal mark.   
 
QUOTING THE COACH
"I was really excited with our team's effort tonight. I thought the freshmen played with tremendous enthusiasm and took it to another level tonight, and it was just great to play at home," head coach Agnus Berenato said. "I thought Kamiyah really took over and was explosive. This was a game against a crosstown rival and she is from Atlanta. Lexi Mann was recruited by Georgia State and Alexis Poole had eight rebounds. I thought those three freshmen did just a phenomenal job."

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
The Owls received scoring from seven of the 10 players who saw action. In addition to her 26 points, Street added five steals, four assists and three rebounds in 38 minutes. Poole contributed six points and eight rebounds, while senior Clara Young added six points and a season-high seven assists. Kennesaw State finished with a 39-27 advantage in rebounding and outscored the Panthers, 20-6, in second-chance points.
 
NEXT UP
The Owls continue their three-game homestand on Saturday when they host Middle Georgia State at the KSU Convocation Center. Tip-off is 2 p.m. (ET). Tickets are currently on sale at www.ksuowls.com/tickets and the game will be broadcast on ESPN3.

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.