Box Score (PDF)
 
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Kennesaw State women's basketball team went toe-to-toe with Jacksonville University through four quarters on Saturday before falling in overtime 88-81 in Swisher Gymnasium.
 
Despite the loss, the Owls clinched a spot in the upcoming ASUN Tournament thanks to an NJIT loss to FGCU. Final seeding and first-round matchups for the ASUN Tournament will be announced following the final regular season games on Monday, March 2.
 
The Owls (12-13, 5-8) raced out to a 10-2 lead over the Dolphins (16-11, 8-5) behind a diverse offensive attack that included freshman Gillian Piccolino, junior Breanna Hoover, and center Simina Avram. The Owls stretched the lead to 25-13 on a jumper by Piccolino before a 6-0 Dolphin run trimmed the lead to 25-19 after the first quarter.
 
The Owls went ice cold from the field in the second quarter, allowing Jacksonville to capture its first lead of the game at 28-27 on an Alexis Burns jumper with 6:40 remaining. The Dolphins, who came into the game second in the ASUN in rebounding, dominated on the boards in the second frame, pulling down 20 rebounds, with nine of them being on the offensive end.
 
The Owls, however, got their offense back in rhythm in the third quarter, recapturing the lead at 46-45 behind a Piccolino layup, and would head into the fourth quarter up 53-51.
 
Both teams came out firing in the fourth quarter, with sophomore guard Amani Johnson and Hoover hitting shots to put the Owls up 60-55. Jacksonville countered with made shots by Burns and Shakayla Nevitt to knot the game at 60-60.
 
Kennesaw State appeared to be in good shape after Hoover drained another three-pointer to put the Owls up 72-69 with just 29 seconds remaining, but the Dolphins' Da'Nashia Shaw hit a clutch shot from downtown of her own with just five seconds remaining and the game went to overtime tied at 72-72.
 
Hoover, who finished with a career-high 18 points, connected on a three-pointer to put the Owls ahead 77-76 just 18 seconds into the overtime period but that would be KSU's last lead of the day. The Owls hit just one shot the rest of the period and Nevitt scored nine points as the Dolphins pulled away and secured the 88-81 victory.
 
Sophomore Amani Johnson poured in a career-best 28 points, including a perfect 8-for-8 performance at the free throw line. Alexis Poole added 14 points and Piccolino had her fifth straight double-figure scoring game. The difference, however, was on the boards, where the Dolphins outrebounded the Owls 48-42, pulling down 20 offensive boards.
 
The Owls will now trek west to face off with North Alabama on Monday at 7:00 p.m. ET in Florence, AL.
 
Head Coach Agnus Berenato's Postgame Comments
"Today was a hard-fought game that took 45 min to decide a winner. I am proud of our ladies and the effort they had to not fold when we got down. Amani Johnson played with every ounce of fire and energy she had was a leader on the court and in the huddles. Her 28 points, coupled with Bree Hoover's 18, really set our guards apart. I am very pleased with our execution against the full court press and we maintained our composure to give us a chance to win. Alexis Poole came up with a double-double, but we needed more from our posts as a collective unit. Defensively we lost individuals when we played man and that cost us dearly. Rebounding was the main issue for us, as we gave up 20 offensive rebounds for 21 points. The three-pointer at the end was a tough shot, but when you are home, you make that. We will regroup and head to UNA for another opportunity to compete."