Box Score (PDF)

KENNESAW, Ga. – Despite a career-high 29 points from Alexis Poole, the Kennesaw State women's basketball team fell to Liberty on the final day of the regular season, dropping a 76-70 decision on Senior Night in the KSU Convocation Center.
 
Poole was unstoppable for the Owls (13-15, 6-10), scoring 23 second-half points and leading a furious comeback that came up short in the final seconds. To go along with her career night in the scoring column, Poole pulled down eight rebounds, registered four assists and added three steals.
 
"I thought tonight was a great game, it was one of the better games we've played all year," head coach Agnus Berenato said. "Liberty has a really good club and I thought we competed with them. We should be inspired going into the ASUN Tournament."
 
With Kennesaw State and Stetson finishing the regular season tied for sixth in the conference standings and splitting their head-to-head meetings, the ASUN will look to the NCAA RPI to break the tie. The NCAA will release the updated RPI rankings following the conclusion of the final games this evening. The No. 6 seed will play at Liberty Saturday in the opening round of the tournament, while the No. 7 seed will travel to North Alabama.
 
After falling behind 6-2 in the early going, Liberty (17-11, 10-5) flipped a switch and used a 12-0 run to take its first lead of the game at 14-6. The Flames extended their lead to double-digits midway through the second quarter when the Owls caught fire and reeled off nine of the next 11 points, capped by a layup from Amani Johnson to cut the deficit to 29-26.
 
Kennesaw State trailed by seven points at the break, but halftime adjustments proved vital in the third quarter as the Owls used a 12-2 run to knot the score at 50-50 with 4:22 left in the frame. Poole finished a three-point play the old fashioned way with 1:21 left in the quarter to give KSU its first lead since in the opening minutes of the game.
 
The Owls outscored the Flames 25-15 in the third quarter and took a three-point lead to the final frame, but it was Liberty's turn to go on a run in the fourth quarter, opening on a 9-0 to take a six-point lead with 6:57 remaining. KSU tied the game up three times coming down the stretch but never retook the lead as Liberty scored the final six points to escape with the road victory.
 
To go along with Poole's career night, Carlotta Gianolla added 14 points on her senior night, while Johnson chipped in 11 and Simina Avram scored a pair of buckets in the final home game of her collegiate career.

"Our seniors have meant so much to our program," Berenato said. "Carlotta has been here with us since day one so it's hard for me to think she finished, but she came here and had a fantastic career. Simina is so mature and has really helped lead this team. They have both put this team on their back and did a tremendous job and this university should be so proud of what they have accomplished."

The Owls now await word on final seeding for the upcoming ASUN Tournament.