KENNESAW STATE 74, USC Upstate 67 Box Score (PDF) | Box Score (XML) Photo Gallery Highlights

KENNESAW, Ga. – Behind a career-high 22 points from junior Kelly Dulkoski, and a double-double from senior Deandrea Sawyers, the Kennesaw State women's basketball team defeated visiting USC Upstate, 74-67, in an ASUN Conference game Saturday (Feb. 4) at the KSU Convocation Center.
 
Sawyers totaled 16 points and 10 rebounds, and freshman Carlotta Gianolla contributed 15 points and six rebounds to help the Owls (6-16, 5-3) to their fourth straight victory, matching their longest conference winning streak since the 2011-12 season. It also is KSU's longest win streak since running off a Division I program-record seven straight victories during the 2014-15 campaign.
 
The win also marked the 450th career coaching victory for head coach Agnus Berenato, who is in her 30th season leading a Division I program.
 
"We played well today, although I thought we struggled the entire game, but were able to grit it out. "We had a lot of kids who had the flu and we only practiced for 20 minutes yesterday, but I told them we had to weather the storm," Berenato said. "I was really, really proud of my team today. I thought we broke through a couple barriers."
 
Tied at 44 heading into the fourth quarter, Sawyers scored 10 points in the final period to help Kennesaw State outscore USC Upstate (8-15, 1-7) 30-23 over the final 10 minutes. The Owls' senior, who had a big overtime period against the Spartans last Saturday, and took control of the game in the fourth quarter against NJIT on Thursday, hit two field goals and went 6-for-6 from the free throw line.
 
Dulkoski, who hit a career-high tying six 3-pointers in the game, made two big shots from beyond the arc for six of her eight fourth-quarter points.
 
"We had a great individual performance by Kelly Dulkoski today. We have been waiting for that, and she played defense, too," Berenato said. "Deandrea is on a mission. She is willing to take this team, put it on her shoulders, and go with it."
 
NOTES
* The Kennesaw State Department of Athletics and women's basketball program presented senior guard Deandrea Sawyers with a commemorative basketball acknowledging her 1,000 career points milestone during a pregame ceremony. Sawyers currently has 1,281 points and is 93 shy of tying Kristina Wells (2011-15) for first place on the program's all-time Division I scoring list. Wells concluded her career with 1,374 points.

* The women's basketball team officially introduced 8-year old Cate Zavitz following the game. Zavitz has been diagnosed with Autosomal Recessive Congenital Ichthyosis (ARCI) – a form of skin disease in which her skin grows too fast where she has excess skin on her body, causing her body to overheat easily which decreases her ability to sweat and control her body temperature. Zavitz was drafted as an official member of the team after being matched with the Owls through Team Impact, Boston-based non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses through the power of team.  

NEXT UP
The Owls are next in action on Wednesday (Feb. 8) when they travel to New Jersey to take on NIJIT at 7 p.m. (ET).

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.