STETSON 60, KENNESAW STATE 43 Box Score (PDF) | Box Score (XML)

DELAND, Fla. – Freshman Carlotta Gianolla recorded a double-double with 19 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Kennesaw State women's basketball team during a 60-43 setback to Stetson in an ASUN Conference game Monday in DeLand, Fla.
 
The Owls (7-18, 6-5), matched up against a Hatters (21-5, 10-1) team that leads the ASUN Conference in field goal percentage defense, were held without a made 3-point field goal for the first time this season as they went 0-for-9 from behind the arc, and finished the game shooting 31 percent (17-for-55) from the field.
 
"We knew this was going to be a tough trip because both Florida Gulf Coast and Stetson are really good teams," head coach Agnus Berenato said. "We were happy to get a win on this trip at NJIT, and we'll get back to work on Thursday and be ready for a really big game on Saturday."
 
The loss prevented Kennesaw State from clinching a home ASUN Conference tournament game as it holds a two-game lead over NJIT and North Florida with three games remaining. The Owls can secure a coveted home tournament game with a win over North Florida Saturday at the KSU Convocation Center.
 
A win over the Ospreys (3-8 in the ASUN) will give the Owls their seventh ASUN win of the season and guarantee their first .500-or-better league mark since they posted an 11-9 record during the 2008-09 season. It will also clinch any potential tie-breaker scenarios with NJIT and North Florida as KSU will have swept the season series against both teams.

Gianolla, who recorded her fifth double-double of the season, reached double-digit scoring for the eighth straight game, and averaged 16 points in the last two games against Florida Gulf Coast and Stetson.

"Carlotta played really well tonight. She is starting to get use to the American style of basketball and adjusting to her teammates," Berenato said. "She really wanted the ball and her rebounding tonight was amazing. I've been really hard on her regarding her rebounding, and for her to score in double figures against Florida Gulf Coast and post a double-double against Stetson is an impressive accomplishment as a freshman."  
 
Stetson, which won its 10th straight game, took control early, building a 19-9 lead at the end of the first quarter, and built its largest lead of the game at 49-22 with 5:20 remaining in the third quarter.
 
Despite the deficit, the Owls continued playing hard and outscored the Hatters 12-8 in the fourth quarter.
 
NEXT UP
Kennesaw State returns home on Saturday when it hosts North Florida at the KSU Convocation Center beginning at 2 p.m. The contest will mark the annual Pink Game as the Owls help build awareness for breast cancer, and fans are encouraged to wear pink to the 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.