Box Score (PDF) | Photo Gallery

KENNESAW, Ga. – Despite four players scoring in double figures, the Kennesaw State women's basketball team could not overcome a third quarter run by Jacksonville University on Saturday afternoon, falling 93-83 at the Convocation Center in ASUN action.
 
The Dolphins improve to 11-8 overall on the year and 3-3 in the ASUN, while the Owls fall to 8-9 overall and 2-4 in league play.
 
The Owls came out firing in the opening frame, putting up a season-high tying 29 first-quarter points, led by 12 points from Gillian Piccolino and three assists by Amani Johnson.
 
KSU stretched its lead to seven points early in the second quarter as Carlotta Gianolla knocked down back-to-back jumpers, but Jacksonville came roaring back and took a five-point lead into halftime at 51-46.
 
The Owls shot lights out in the first half, going 16-of-24 from the field for 66 percent, while Jacksonville shot 51.4 percent from the floor. The two teams combined for 97 total points, the most in any first half of a KSU game this season.
 
Jacksonville came out in the third quarter and built a 13-point lead midway through the frame, fueled by an 11-0 run capped by a pair of free throws from JU's Destiny Marshall.
 
Alexis Poole took over the game with 2:10 remaining in the third quarter, dominating on both ends of the floor and scoring nine straight points to cut the Dolphins' lead to 72-64 heading to the fourth quarter.
 
Both teams traded baskets early in the final frame and KSU cut the Jacksonville down to six points with 1:12 remaining, but the Dolphins held off the late charge and picked up the 93-83 victory.
 
Poole finished with her sixth 20-point effort of the year, scoring 25 points and adding eight rebounds and two assists. She went 7-of-9 from the field and a perfect 11-of-11 from the charity stripe in 20 minutes of action.
 
Johnson finished with 18 points and six assists, while Gianolla added 17 points and Piccolino added 14.
 
The Owls return to action on Monday, Jan. 27, welcoming North Alabama to town for a 7 p.m. tip-off in the Convocation Center.

Head Coach Agnus Berenato's Postgame Comments
"It was really good to see four players finish in double figures. It was good to see Gillian (Piccolino) come out and make some shots. I thought Amani (Johnson) had great poise in the game and Alexis Poole was unstoppable on the offense end. We just didn't get Poole the ball enough, but she was unstoppable. We have to do a better job of getting her the ball. Carlotta (Gianolla) chipped in with 17 points, but I think where the game was won and lost was turnovers. We had 20 turnovers and they were able to convert 27 points off those turnovers. It was a slugfest game in that every possession was tough and physical. There were 49 fouls called in the game and 69 free throws and I haven't been a part of a game like that before. We'll go back to the drawing board. We shot really well, but I think the turnovers and offensive rebounds ultimately cost us the game."