JACKSONVILLE, Fla.- KSU women's basketball fell behind early and could not complete a comeback and fell 57-33 to North Florida in the first game of the weekend set.
 
"UNF came out from the jump and was ready to play. I feel we were not ready and did not do a good job of matching their intensity," said Head Coach Agnus Berenato. "We were in early foul trouble and that set us back. It is difficult for our team to play when we are out of sync defensively and offensively. I am disappointed, but we will go back and practice hard to prepare for Liberty. We will be better prepared.  

It was a slow start for Kennesaw State as Carlotta Gianolla and Alexis Poole each picked up two quick fouls, which forced both to the bench. Lexi Mann and Gabi Legister made up the frontcourt the Owls relied on for the majority of the opening frame.
 
After scoring at the 9:40 mark in the first quarter, the Owls were held scoreless for the remainder of the quarter.
 
Amani Johnson ended the 16-0 Osprey run with a 3-pointer at the 8:08 mark in the second quarter to cut the UNF lead to 16-5. On the next possession, Poole scored a crafty basket with a hook shot to give the Owls points on back-to-back possessions. Johnson knocked down another momentum-squashing 3-pointer with just under three minutes to play to make it 23-12, UNF.
 
Johnson finished the quarter with 10 points, all in the second frame, and the Owls found themselves down 28-15 at the break.
 
UNF extended its lead to 17 in the third quarter when UNF scored on back-to-back possessions which forced a Kennesaw State timeout. With 5:26 in the third quarter, the Ospreys were on top 35-18.
 
Poole put her post moves on display deep in the third quarter and scored on two-straight possessions to cut the lead to 41-22 with 2:27 left. Heading into the final quarter, the Owls were trailing 43-24.
 
The game ended with the Ospreys on top 57-33. Poole ended with 13 points and nine rebounds, headlining the box score for the Owls.
 
Kennesaw State treks north for a Monday tilt with Liberty.