Box Score (PDF)

DELAND, Fla. – Behind career performances from Amani Johnson and Alexis Poole, No. 7 seed Kennesaw State upset No. 2 seed Stetson 67-59 on Friday (March 8) night.

The Hatters jumped out to a quick 7-0 start to begin the contest inside the Edmunds Center. The Owls went on an ensuing 6-0 run after two free throws from Lexi Mann and two free throws and a bucket from Poole. After trading baskets, Poole drained two free throws to put the Owls in front 12-11, and the first quarter ended with Kennesaw State up one.

The Owls came out hot in the second quarter and forced a Stetson timeout after embarking on a 7-2 run. The journey was highlighted by a corner 3-pointer from Amani Johnson with a defender draped on her. Kennesaw State pushed its lead to 26-17 with 3:06 in the second quarter behind strong offensive starts from Johnson and Poole.

A pair of free throws from Poole corralled a Stetson run and the Owls ended the half up five points, 28-23. She has a strong first half, netting half of the Owls points in the first two periods. Johnson also finished in double-figures, netting 10 points and dishing out three assists.

KSU came out of the half with intensity and began the second half on a 5-0 run to push its lead to 33-23. Breanna Hoover carried the momentum for the Owls with back-to-back 3-pointers to extend the advantage to 39-28 at the 6:44 mark in the third quarter.  

The Hatters cut the KSU lead to six points after a 3-point make, but the Owls rebounded and held a 49-41 lead at the end of three quarters.

Johnson began the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer to push the lead back to double-digits at 53-43. The Hatters went on an ensuing 6-0 to cut the lead to 53-49 with just over five minutes in the fourth quarter. Poole answer the Hatter run by splitting a double-team and scoring under the basket.

The Hatters trimmed the lead to just three points after getting fouled and making a free throw. Johnson answered with another timely 3-pointer that pushed the KSU lead to 60-54.

Kennesaw State did not let up, and pushed the lead to nine points (65-57) with 11 seconds remaining in the game. The Owls netted crucial free throws at the end of the game and finished on top, 67-59.

Noteworthy

• Amani Johnson set her career-high with 21 points
• Alexis Poole matched her career-high with 27 points
• Alexis Poole finished 17-for-18 from the free-throw line
• As a team, the Owls made five 3-pointers compared to just three trifectas from Stetson
• Kennesaw State outrebounded Stetson 28-21
• There were just three lead changes in the contest, and the Owls led for 29 minutes and 27 seconds
• The Owls move on to the ASUN semifinals for the first time since
• This win marks the first road win of the season for KSU
• It was the first win over Stetson this season for the Owls

Quotes

Head Coach Agnus Berenato on the win
I am just so happy for this team and for this staff. We had a lot of confidence coming into this game. Coach Khadija Head did an incredible job with the scout. Everyone has been on the same page over the last couple of days and it really showed today. We took this game really serious and planned a lot for this one. I am very excited for these student-athletes, this staff and for this university.

Berenato on the play of Amani Johnson.
I think because she was named the ASUN Freshman of the Year, she came into the game with a lot of confidence. She knew that Stetson was going to take Kamiyah (Street) out of the game and that she needed to step up. She took a lot of open shots and knocked them down. I was really proud of the presence that she brought to the court tonight.

Amani Johnson on her career night and playing in the postseason for the first time
It was really exciting. We came into the game knowing that we were going to win. Honestly, when I got the stat sheet, I did not realize that I had 21 points. I just played all night long and did not really think about it. I did what I needed to do tonight and it happened to be my night.

Alexis Poole on the win and her performance from the free-throw line
I did not want it to come down to a one possession game and knew I needed to knock down my shots at the free-throw line. I knew what I had to do to help us win and I think I did that.

Up Next
The Owls travel to Florida Gulf Coast for a bout with the ASUN's No. 1 seed on Wednesday (March 15). Time is to be determined.