KENNESAW STATE 75, NJIT 64 Box Score (PDF) | Box Score (XML) Highlights | Photo Gallery

KENNESAW, Ga. – Senior guard Deandrea Sawyers scored 13 of her game-high 22 points in the fourth quarter, and freshman Carlotta Gianolla recorded a double-double to lead the Kennesaw State women's basketball team to a 75-64 victory over visiting NJIT in an ASUN Conference game Thursday (Feb. 2) at the KSU Convocation Center.
 
Gianolla added 12 points and a career-high 14 rebounds, senior Aareon Smith tallied a season-high 17 points, and junior Chloe Branch contributed six points and a career-high nine rebounds to help the Owls (5-16, 4-3) to their third straight win.
 
In a contest that had 14 lead changes and nine ties, Kennesaw State outscored NJIT (9-13, 2-5) 32-20 in the fourth quarter as it connected on 10 of 14 field goal attempts, including 4-for-4 from beyond the 3-point arc, and established season highs for 3-pointers made (11) and 3-point field goal percentage (47.8).
 
"It was a great game and came down to the last quarter and I told the team to hang in there," head coach Agnus Berenato said. "We had another great performance from Deandrea and we had a double-double from Carlotta who did a great job on the boards as well as scoring for us."
 
Kennesaw State received balanced scoring from behind the 3-point line as four different players made at least two baskets from beyond the arc, including Smith, who had a team-high four 3-pointers.
 
"We knew we had to score from the outside against their defense, and we set a (season) record with 11 three pointers," Berenato said. "I thought Aareon was tremendous. Aareon and Deandrea are seniors, and that is what seniors have to do. If you want to win at home, you have to win with your seniors."
 
For the fifth straight game, the Owls won the battle on the boards as they outrebounded the Highlanders, 42-36, and also received solid play from their reserves as they posted a 30-13 advantage in bench points.
   
NEXT UP
The Owls return to action on Saturday (Feb. 4) when they host USC Upstate at the KSU Convocation Center on Youth Day. Tip-off is 2 p.m.

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.