FORT MYERS, Fla.- Carlotta Gianolla surpassed a career milestone while Alexis Poole notched her sixth double-double season as the Owls fell to FGCU (19-2) 80-63.

"FGCU is a very good basketball team. They played terrific defense and their offense was in motion," said Head Coach Agnus Berenato. "I am proud of our team for not giving up. The second half was a time we could have folded but we focused. We got down early but settled down in the second half. Congratulations to Carlotta for scoring her 1,000th point. I am very proud of her."

Poole was dominant in the second half and ended with 23 points and 12 rebounds. Amani Johnson was impressive for the Owls as well, as the sophomore finished with 20 points, 11 rebounds and four steals.
 
It was a quick start for the Eagles as FGCU took a 7-0 lead to force a KSU timeout three minutes into the contest. Gianolla scored the first basket for the Owls at the 5:15 mark which put her over 1,000 points in her Kennesaw State career and pulled KSU within seven points, 9-2.
 
Kennesaw State fell behind 26-10 at the end first quarter with Gianolla and Amani Johnson each with four points.
 
The Owls put together back-to-back buckets within the first four minutes to pull within 32-14 at the six-minute mark. Amani Johnson got hot in the middle of the second quarter and netted a pair of mid-range baskets. Johnson ended the half with 10 out KSU's 22 points and the Owls found themselves behind 44-22 at the half.
 
An 8-0 run in the third quarter for the Owls was the highpoint of the frame as Gillian Piccolino and Alexis Poole each scored four points, cutting the lead to 57-37 with 2:59 to play.
 
The Owls caught fire in the fourth quarter and made five-straight field goals, highlighted by three field goals by Poole and one from Gabi Legister and Amani Johnson.
 
Kennesaw State went on a 6-0 late in the fourth quarter to shrink the FGCU lead to 80-61 with under a minute to play. The Owls fought until the final whistle and fell 80-63 to the reigning ASUN champions.
 
KSU returns to the floor Saturday (Jan. 25) against Jacksonville inside the KSU Convocation Center.