NEWARK, N.J.- Kennesaw State women's basketball put together an incredible fourth quarter to rout NJIT 77-64 and win its second-straight contest.

"I am very happy for our ladies and staff," said Head Coach Agnus Berenato. " This was a great win and means more because we were on the road. We practiced well all week and we are establishing roles. Today we performed with a sense of urgency to seal the win."
 
In the fourth quarter, the Owls outscored the Highlanders 30-18.

Gianolla ended with a season-high 27 points and three rebounds. Johnson stuffed the stat sheet as she finished with 24 points, five steals, five rebounds and five assists.

"Carlotta Gianolla was impressive and led the team," Berenato said. " She performed as seniors do and showed off her maturity. On both ends of the court, Carlotta was a stronghold for us. Amani Johnson took over in the fourth quarter and turned up her defensive efforts. She scored for us when we needed big shots. Her leadership was noticed and appreciated."
 
It was a slow start for each of the two teams in the first frame in Newark, N.J., as a Carlotta Gianolla bucket was the only field goal in three minutes between the two squads. After a 3-pointer from the Highlanders, Gianolla responded with a basket. NJIT knocked down another 3-pointer and the Owls fell behind 6-4 with 5:12 to play in the first quarter. Breanna Hoover tied the game up with a sneaky offensive rebound that she converted into two points.
 
The Owls' press was impressive in the first quarter and forced eight turnovers while holding the Highlanders to just 21.4 percent from the field. KSU held a 13-8 advantage at the end of the first frame.
 
Kennesaw State stretched the lead to 10 points to begin the second quarter after Hoover knocked down a 3-pointer and Gillian Piccolino made a layup. The Highlanders weathered the Owls' onslaught, but Amani Johnson continued to apply pressure and knocked down a corner 3-pointer to push the lead to 25-15 midway through the quarter. Johnson scored her ninth point with just under three minutes to play in the half to extend the lead to 29-18.  
 
Everything was working for the Owls to end the half, which was capped off by an and-one from Lexi Mann to put Kennesaw State up 37-25 at the break.
 
The Highlanders came out of the gate hot in the second half and pulled within five points (41-37) just four minutes into the third quarter. NJIT shrank the lead to one point (45-44) at the 2:23 mark after a straight-on 3-pointer. The Owls began the fourth quarter with a one-point advantage at 47-46.
 
Johnson began the fourth quarter on fire after knocking down two jumpers in the first minute to force a quick NJIT timeout. The Owls and the Highlanders battled back-and-forth with the lead never extending past four points until the 4:15 mark when Hoover netted a basket to push the lead to 63-57.
 
Peyton Lewis swished a 3-pointer with four minutes to go to put together a 7-0 and put the Owls on top 66-57. Two Johnson free throws pushed the advantage to 68-57 and put the game away for the Owls.
 
The Owls travel south for a Jan. 20 tilt against FGCU for a chance to win three-straight.