Box Score
 
DELAND, Fla. – The Kennesaw State women's basketball team fell behind early on Saturday but caught fire from the field in the second half, overcoming a 19-point deficit to pull out a thrilling 70-67 win at Stetson in ASUN action.
 
It was a tale of two halves for the Owls (12-11, 5-6) who were ice cold from the field before intermission, shooting just 25 percent and missing all seven three-point attempts.  
 
The Hatters jumped out to an 8-2 lead over the Owls after just 2:21 of play behind four made shots in the paint. Senior Carlotta Gianolla stopped the bleeding temporarily for Kennesaw State with a made jump shot with 6:43 remaining in the opening quarter to trim the Owls' deficit to four.
 
After the Hatters' Day'neisha Banks drained a three-pointer to extend the home team's lead to 17-6, the Owls answered with a made free throw and a layup by Alexis Poole to make it 17-9 heading into the second quarter. The Hatters would add to their lead with three made layups to put the home team ahead 23-9, before Gianolla answered with two made free throws to cut the lead to 12.
 
The Owls would enter the locker room trailing 33-19 after committing 11 turnovers and having only two players, Gianolla and Alexis Poole, score more than two points.
 
After the Hatters got off to a 7-2 run to start the second half, the Owls' offense finally began to hit their stride. Gianolla, Poole, and freshman Gillian Piccolino would combine for seven points to cut the lead to 40-28. This is when Piccolino, who was held scoreless in the first half, began to catch fire, scoring 11 points in the quarter and helping the Owls cut the deficit to just four points before the Hatters' Megan Vincent hit two free throws with 13 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
 
The Owls would keep up the hot shooting in the final quarter, ripping off an 8-2 run to start the frame and grabbing their first lead of the day at 55-52. The Hatters, however, fought back with a run of their own, scoring seven straight points to go up 59-55 and causing Poole, the Owls' leading scorer to foul out with 16 points.
 
That is when Piccolino and sophomore guard Amani Johnson took over. The teams would trade baskets before Piccolino would again come through for the Owls, draining a three-pointer to knot it up at 63-63. The two teams traded free throws before Piccolino drained yet another clutch shot from downtown to put the Owls back up 68-65 with 45 seconds remaining.
 
The Hatters would answer with a made layup from Kennedi Colclough with 23 seconds remaining but were forced to foul to keep the Owls from running out the clock. Johnson knocked down both free throws in the final seconds to secure the 70-67 victory.
 
Piccolino poured in a game-high 21 points, all in the second half, and recorded her third straight double-digit scoring game. She was one of four Kennesaw State players to finish in double figures on the day.
 
The Owls will look to win their fourth straight game as they return home to face FGCU on Feb. 17 at 7 p.m.
 
Head Coach Agnus Berenato's Postgame Comments
"This was a great win for our team and our KSU Community. We were down by 19 in the third quarter and never lost hope or belief. I am so proud of this staff and team for believing that you never give in. Piccolino was incredible in the second half as she converted on numerous steals and transition buckets. Johnson was key in attacking the glass and creating the inside outside game. She had a great sense of the opposing team and what they were running. Our posts were stellar with Gianolla and Poole combining for 30 points and 13 rebounds. Gianolla's leadership and will to win was evident and became contagious to the younger players. Stetson is a good team and I respect Coach Lynn to the max. This was a fantastic come from behind win and I am just so happy and proud of each student-athlete and coach. Tremendous road win."