Box Score (PDF)

KENNESAW, Ga. – Having already locked up a top-four seed in next week's ASUN Women's Basketball Championship, the Kennesaw State Owls closed the regular season with a decisive 96-69 win over Lipscomb on Senior Day Saturday at the KSU Convocation Center.
 
The win allowed the Owls (9-19, 8-6) to secure their first winning ASUN Conference season since 2008-09 (11-9). It also marked the first time since 2005 that team topped the 90-point mark.
 
"I'm just really proud of the team," said head coach Agnus Berenato. "Of course it was Senior Day and Deandrea and Aareon both played fabulous. We really got a big lift from Clara (Young). She's our coach on the court. I'm really proud of her, and you can't say enough about Carlotta (Gianolla). We had a nice home crowd here, we wanted to show them what we can do and we needed his momentum going into Friday night."
 
The fourth-seeded Owls welcome fifth-seed NJIT Friday at 7 p.m. in the ASUN Quarterfinals. Tickets are now on sale for $10, with youth tickets for $5.
 
Junior Clara Young had her best game as an Owl as the point guard nearly recorded the elusive quadruple-double. The Woodstock, Ga., native still had her first career double-double, scoring 16 points, grabbing a career-high 13 rebounds and also finishing with career-highs in both assists (nine) and steals (eight).
 
"We came out strong for our seniors and they were knocking down the shots," said Young. "I wouldn't have had a single assist if it weren't for them. We just worked together as a team -- probably our best team effort of the season -- and you can tell the project is coming to fruition."
 
Seniors Deandrea Sawyers and Aareon Smith were honored before the game, and each played key roles in the victory.
 
Sawyers finished with a team-high 21 points and Smith chipped in 13, including eight during a 17-5 run as KSU pulled away to start the second half. Freshman Carlotta Gianolla came off the bench and posted her sixth double-double with 20 points and 13 rebounds in just 23 minutes of action.
 
Lipscomb (6-23, 3-11) led by as many as eight in the first half, but Kennesaw State restored order and took a 29-27 lead in the locker room.
 
The hosts kept their foot on the gas after the break as Young nailed a three and Sawyers a jumper for the first five points of the period. The Black & Gold used that 17-5 run to seize control and would finish the third quarter by doubling up the Bisons, 32-16, and never looked back.
 
Kennesaw State dominated the glass, out-rebounding the visitors, 59-27, including a 30-9 edge on the offensive boards. The 59 rebounds were the most by any Owls team since 56 at Lipscomb in 2013. The team's 19 assists were also a season-high, and three shy of the program record.

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.