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KENNESAW, Ga. – A valiant second-half comeback came up just short as the Kennesaw State women's basketball team opened ASUN Conference play with a 64-62 setback to visiting Lipscomb Saturday afternoon at the KSU Convocation Center.
 
Trailing by 12 points at halftime, senior Clara Young sparked a second-half comeback, and the Owls (4-8, 0-1) had a chance to pull out the come-from-behind victory, but freshman Kamiyah Street's potential game-winning runner was off the mark, and KSU suffered its first loss in its last six meetings against the Lady Bisons (5-11, 1-0).
 
The contest marked Kennesaw State's first game in 21 days after having four games cancelled following an overtime victory at Georgia Southern on Dec. 15.
 
Sophomore Carlotta Gianolla scored 17 points and added six rebounds to lead a group a four Owls who scored in double figures. Street had another impressive game, scoring 16 points, collecting eight rebounds, career-high six steals, five assists and three blocked shots, while Young scored all of her 15 points in the second half, and freshman Alexis Poole contributed 12 points and 12 rebounds to record her fourth double-double of the season.
 
STORYLINE
Led by Young's 12 points in the third quarter, Kennesaw State reduced a 12-point halftime deficit to 43-42 heading into the fourth quarter. The final 10 minutes produced a pair of lead changes and four ties, with Street tying the game 62-62 with 1:14 remaining. Following a Street steal on Lipscomb's next possession, the Owls had a chance to take the lead, but the KSU freshman's jumper was off the mark.
 
After Lipscomb converted one of two free throws to take a one-point lead, Kennesaw State called a timeout with :05 remaining to set up a potential game winning play. Out of the timeout, the Owls were able to get the ball to Street who was unable to convert the runner.
 
QUOTING THE COACH
"I am proud of my team. I thought we did a good job of handling the pressure and we had four players in double figures," head coach Agnus Berenato said. "Free throws really hurt us and they nearly tripled the number of made free throws than we made. In the second half, Clara Young stepped up and really pulled us back into the game. Again, I am really proud of the team but extremely disappointed with the loss."
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
The Owls came out hot in the third quarter, shooting 9-for-11 from the field for an 81.8 field goal percentage mark, including 4-for-4 from behind the three-point arc. Lipscomb took advantage of its free throw opportunities, connecting on 17 of 25 (68 percent) attempts, while the Owls went 7-for-14 (50 percent) from the charity stripe. After committing nine turnovers in the first half, Kennesaw State gave the ball away just six times in the second half. The Owls had a season-high six blocked shots and Young equaled a career high with five made three-pointers.  
 
NEXT UP
The Owls are next in action on Saturday (Jan. 13) when they visit North Florida in Jacksonville. Tip-off is 2 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.