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KENNESAW, Ga. – The Kennesaw State women's basketball team fended off the Bulldogs Saturday afternoon to defeat Samford 60-55 and win its third straight home opener.

Three Owls finished the game in double figures led by Alexis Poole who recorded her first double-double of the season with 20 points and 11 rebounds.

How it Happened: The Owls (1-1) maintained control throughout the game, leading the Bulldogs (1-1) the entire way.

KSU started the first quarter off strong as Kamiyah Street sank the first three points 13 seconds into the game. Both sides were strong defensively in the first quarter with the Owls recording nine rebounds while the Bulldogs pulled down seven. Carlotta Gianolla led the Owls with six points in the first frame, giving KSU its largest lead of the quarter, 11-5, following a jumper with 3:14 to play.

With KSU leading 14-10 to open the second quarter, the two teams traded buckets as the Owls maintained their four-point lead. The Bulldogs fought back to tie the game at 20, thanks to back-to-back three-pointers, but freshman Gillian Piccolino put the Owls back on top with a trey of her own followed by a layup with less than 30 seconds left to give KSU a 25-22 lead at halftime.

After trading quick buckets to open the second half, the Owls earned some separation with a 7-0 run, courtesy of four point from Poole herself, to lead 34-26. Poole added four more points in the quarter to keep KSU in front 39-33, finishing the third with eight points and four rebounds.

Kennesaw State extended their lead to 12 points, its largest of the game, with 8:37 on the clock after Street escaped for a fast break layup to make it 45-33. The Owls kept Samford at bay throughout most of the final quarter until a 6-0 run pulled the Bulldogs within five, 53-48, with just under two minutes to play. KSU utilized the free throw line to halt the attempted comeback, going 7-of-8 at the charity stripe minute of the game.

Notes: Alexis Poole's 20 points marked the ninth time in her career she has scored 20 or more points … Kamiyah Street was second on the team with 14 points followed by Gillian Piccolino who recorded her first career double-digit game with 10 points … the Owls combined for 10 rebounds in the fourth quarter alone to bring their total to 37 .. KSU finished 23-for-32 at the free line.

Up Next: The Owls will host Mercer Wednesday (Nov. 13) at 7 p.m.

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