Box Score (PDF)

KENNESAW, Ga. – Sophomore Alexis Poole scored a game-high 24 points and junior Carlotta Gianolla produced a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Kennesaw State women's basketball team to an 80-61 victory over Thomas University in an exhibition Thursday at the KSU Convocation Center.
 
Poole, who also collected seven rebounds, and Gianolla were joined in double figures by sophomore Kamiyah Street and freshman Peyton Lewis, who scored 17 and 12 points, respectively.
 
In its 2018-19 season debut, Kennesaw State started two freshmen, two sophomores and a junior. Freshman guard Amani Johnson made her first appearance in an Owls uniform and contributed six points, five rebounds and game-high totals of seven assists and two blocks.
 
Street, the reigning ASUN Conference Freshman of the Year, added five rebounds, six assists and seven steals to her 17 points.
 
After trailing 31-30 at halftime, Kennesaw State made its first five shots to begin the third quarter and outscored Thomas 33-8 in the period as it built a 63-39 lead heading into the fourth quarter. The Owls shot 72.2 percent (13-for-18) and forced 14 turnovers in the period.
 
NOTEWORTHY

• Five newcomers (Amani Johnson, Erica Moore, Kate Head, Peyton Lewis and Simina Avram) all saw their first action in an Owls uniform.
• Avram, a redshirt-senior transfer from Georgia Tech, had a game-high 11 rebounds and added three points.
• Kate Head, a freshman guard from Brisbane, Australia, had one point, a rebound and steal in 14 minutes of action.
• Forward Alexis Poole was 10-for-16 from the field to lead the Owls' inside game, helping KSU to a 40-28 scoring advantage in the paint.
• Kennesaw State scored 36 points off 32 Thomas turnovers and totaled 20 fast break points.

QUOTING BERENATO
"I thought the starters came out and were really prepared to play," head coach Agnus Berenato said. "Anytime you start two freshmen, two sophomores and a junior, they're going to be anxious. I thought the first couple minutes were really good and then (Alexis) Poole got her fouls. We had to take her out and whole complexity of the game changed.
 
"We have to overcome that and I told Alexis 'we cannot play without you' if we want to play our style of ball," Berenato added. "Overall, in the second half I was really pleased with the team."
 
BERENATO ON THE STATE OF THE TEAM
"I think they are working really hard every day, but what my staff and I are trying to do is make them realize that they can work harder," Berenato said. "This is the hardest I have worked at Kennesaw State, but they have more and my whole philosophy is we have more players. I think we have to keep pushing and I am happy the first half happened. It will help me tomorrow at practice. Overall, I am pleased."   
 
2018-19 HOME PROMOTIONS

Jan. 29	Education Day vs. North Florida; 11 a.m.
Feb. 9	Pink Day vs. NJIT; 2 p.m.
Feb. 16	Crowd the Convo vs. Lipscomb; 2 p.m.
Mar. 2	Senior Day vs. Stetson; 2 p.m.

NEXT UP
Kennesaw State officially opens its 2018-19 schedule on Wednesday (Nov. 7) when it hosts Middle Georgia State at the KSU Convocation Center. Tip-Off is 5:30 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.   
   
 

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