By: Matteen Zibanejadrad
Monday, December 21
12 p.m. ET – Kennesaw State (2-0, 0-0) vs UNCW (2-4, 0-3)
Links: ESPN+ | Live Stats
Location: Convocation Center | Kennesaw, Ga.
Game Notes: KSU
Tickets
TOP STORYLINES
» The Kennesaw State women's basketball team goes into Monday's game after capturing their first 2-0 start to a season since 2014. The lead changed between teams 12 times in the Owls' thrilling win against the UNCW Seahawks.
» Jah'Che Whitfield continued her sensational start to the season with a 20 point, 13 rebound performance on Friday afternoon. The redshirt junior is averaging a double-double through the first two games of the season. The transfer from Winthrop University ended her strong week shooting 15-for-32 from the field.
» Freshman Julia Rodriguez emerged as Interim Head Coach Khadija Head's first option off the bench. Her 13 points were the second-highest among Owls, and her 27 minutes were the fourth-highest on the team. She also grabbed two helpers and a steal in the KSU win.
» KSU is looking to 3-0 for the first time in its program history in its first meeting against Life University. The Running Eagles are in the early stages of their fifth-ever season.
» Kennesaw State currently finds itself 32nd in field goal percentage and tied for 17th in assists per game in the nation. Their early form finds them top of the ASUN Conference in assists per game, field goal percentage, scoring, rebounds per game and blocked shots per game.
AMANI IS ON ONE
Amani Johnson's leadership on the court is essential to the Owls' play this season. She led the team in minutes played again on Friday afternoon, and her 10 point, eight assist performance was two helpers away from a double-double.
She ended the game with six boards and three steals in her team-leading 39 minutes played.
TEAM PERFORMANCE
28 of the Owls' 69 points came from the bench Friday afternoon. Along with the strong performance from Rodriguez, KSU prospered with a nine point performance from Stacie Jones. Jones has started off her freshman year in impressive fashion coming off a 14 point, eight rebound showing against Martin Methodist.
The matchup against UNCW also featured an important 3-pointer from freshman Jodi Mullins to end the Owls' offense in the first half; sophomore Gillian Piccolino shot an important 3-pointer of her own to put the Owls up 20-8 earlier in the quarter.
UP NEXT
After Monday's game against Life University, the Owls take a long break for the holidays. KSU returns to play when it hits the road for the first time this season to face Jacksonville University in two games on Jan. 2 and 3.
