KENNESAW, Ga.- The Owls put together a valiant effort against Stetson, but came up short, 67-61 in their conference opener.
 
"I thought we need an incredible job taking care of the basketball today with Hoover at point guard," said Head Coach Agnus Berenato. "The issue was that we had trouble taking advantage of those opportunities. Poole did an incredible stop today in the paint and Carlotta (Gianolla) did a good job defending. Poole is our safety net, she does such a good job on both ends of the floor and that was on display today. We just have to find more opportunities to get involved later in the game."
 
Carlotta Gianolla came out aggressive in her final conference-opener and scored the first six points for the Owls, who took a quick 6-2 lead. The Owls offense continued to press and Kennesaw State held a 12-4 lead at the 6:40 mark in the first quarter. Stetson answered with an 8-0 run that tied up the contest with less than four minutes in the opening quarter. The Hatters continued to push their lead and took a 19-14 at the end of the first frame.
 
Both teams went back-and-forth to begin the second quarter before the Hatters took a 10-point lead after two free throws with just over six minutes to play in the half. Later in the period, Alexis Poole completed an and-one with 2:32 that pulled the Owls within 32-21 and halted the Hatters' momentum. Kennesaw State closed out the half with impressive effort on the defensive end of the floor and trailed 38-26 at the break.
 
Gillian Piccolino opened the second half with a 3-pointer that was followed by buckets from Amani Johnson and Poole. The Owls' 7-0 quickly cut the Stetson lead to 40-35 just three minutes into the half. The lead become just four points with a minute-and-a-half left in the after a Gianolla layup. Poole made an impressive move on the right block and brought the Owls within a pair. With time winding down, Piccolino drew a foul and sank both free throws to tie the game heading into the fourth quarter.
 
In the third quarter, Poole outscored Stetson 13-12.
 
The final quarter began with stout defense on both sides, as just one point was scored between the squads three minutes into the frame. Gianolla put the Owls ahead for the first time since the first quarter with a turnaround jumper at the 3:45 mark, 57-56. Stetson retook the lead with under three minutes to play and claimed the 61-57. Two Piccolino free throws brought the game within two points again, at 61-59. Two Stetson free throws pushed the lead to 63-59 with under 30 seconds to play.
 
The Owls offense went cold in the final minutes of the game and finished the contest without a field goal in the last 4:24.
 
KSU looks to pick up its first conference victory on Monday (Jan. 6) inside the KSU Convocation Center.