JACKSONVILLE 72, KENNESAW STATE 64 Box Score (PDF) | Box Score (XML) Highlights | Photo Gallery

KENNESAW, Ga. – Freshman Carlotta Gianolla scored a career-high 29 points and added eight rebounds to lead the Kennesaw State women's basketball team during a 74-62 loss to Jacksonville in an ASUN Conference game Monday (Feb. 20) at the KSU Convocation Center.
 
Despite the career performance by Gianolla, and 15 points and a career-high six assists from senior Deandrea Sawyers, the Owls (8-19, 7-6) were victimized by a big third quarter from the Dolphins (21-7, 10-2).
 
After trailing 35-29 at halftime, Jacksonville opened the third quarter with an 8-0 run and went on to outscore Kennesaw State 24-9 in the period to take a 53-44 lead into the fourth quarter.
 
"For three quarters, this was hands down our best team effort, but the third quarter was bad," head coach Agnus Berenato said. "You have to give Jacksonville credit, they did a wide two-three and it took us out of the game and our guards weren't able to penetrate and couldn't get it to Carlotta and Deandrea."
 
The Dolphins tough defense ignited the offense as they connected on 7 of 11 field goal attempts (63.6 percent), including 3 of 5 from 3-point range, and made seven of eight free throws in the third quarter.
 
The loss overshadowed Gianolla's big offensive effort as she went 13 of 22 from the field, and equaled Sawyers' 29-point effort at USC Upstate on Feb. 4. for most points in a game by an Owls player this season.
 
"I'm really proud of Carlotta and I thought Deandrea did a great job, and I thought Deja McPhee, coming off the bench was really tough," Berenato said. "I thought today was a game that we played tough, that we knew how to play, especially in the first half."

McPhee finished with six points, three rebounds and one assist.
 
The Owls shot 53.8 percent in the first half and finished the game shooting a season-high 49.0 percent (25-51) from the field.
 
NEXT UP
Kennesaw State closes out its regular season on Saturday (Feb. 25) when it hosts Lipscomb at the KSU Convocation Center beginning at 2 p.m. It will mark Senior Day for Sawyers and Aareon Smith, who are closing out their collegiate careers.   
 
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.