Box Score (PDF)

NEWARK, N.J. – In just 26 minutes of play, Carlotta Gianolla recorded her first double-double of the season, but it was not enough as the Owls (4-10) fell to NJIT (4-10) 66-60.

After falling behind 5-0 in the first three minutes of the contest, the Owls put together a 6-0 run to go ahead by a point at the 6:58 mark in the first quarter. Kennesaw State used pressure defense to make the Highlander offense uncomfortable, and it worked, as the Owls pushed their lead to 12-7 with 5:10 in the opening quarter. The Owls claimed a 14-7 advantage just under the first media timeout but NJIT closed the gap and tied the game at 14 points with 2:14 to play. After Kamiyah Street put the Owls ahead 16-14, the Highlanders answered and tied the game going into the second frame.

The Owls got off to a slow offensive start in the second period as they recorded just one field goal in the first four minutes of the quarter. The Highlanders took the 20-19 lead at 5:56 mark in the second quarter for their first lead since their initial advantage to begin the game. After a free throw from Simina Avram and a floater from Street, the Owls took back the lead 26-22 with just over two minutes in the first half. The Highlanders ended the half on a 6-2 and tied up the game at 28 at the break.

Alexis Poole converted on a terrific out-of-bounds play for the Owls' first points of the quarter and first lead of the second half (30-28). The Highlanders took back the advantage after a deep 3-pointer that put NJIT up 34-33 at the 6:30 mark. Alexandra Landby made a free-throw with 6:22 remaining in the third quarter that was her first point of the season and that tied the game at 34. The third quarter ended back-and-fourth with NJIT in the lead 49-45 heading into the fourth quarter. Through the first three quarters, there were 12 lead changes.

Amani Johnson hit a 3-pointer to pull the Owls within one point (49-48) just 19 seconds into the final quarter. Battling foul trouble all night, Gianolla fouled out at the 6:57 mark in the fourth quarter. She ended with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Street tied up the game with 5:13 to play in the game with a layup that gave the Owls 53 points. The Highlanders pulled away in the final four minutes of the game and won, 66-60.

Noteworthy

• Alex Landby scored her first points of the season
• Simina Avram recorded her third game with 10 or more rebounds
• Kamiyah Street has scored in double-digits in seven-straight games
• Carlotta Gianolla recorded her first double-double of the season
• Four Owls ended in double figures
• Owls suffered their first loss in program history to NJIT

 Up Next
The Owls play host to their first game since Nov. 28 against Georgia Southern. KSU will play Jacksonville on Jan. 8 inside KSU Convocation Center at 7 p.m.