Score: Kennesaw State 45 , No. 17 Georgia Tech 72
Records: Kennesaw State (1-1, 0-0), Georgia Tech (2-0, 0-0)
Key Players: Amani Johnson (12 pts, 7 rebs, 4 assts); Alexis Poole (10 pts, 5 rebs); Amaris Baker (3-4 FG, 6 pts)
THE STORYLINE
Amani Johnson wrote her name into the Kennesaw State record book once again, becoming the seventh player in the team's Division I history to score 1,000 points; however, it was not enough for the Owls to topple the No. 17 team in the nation, Georgia Tech.
COACH OCTAVIA BLUE QUOTES
On the team's performance…
"I think getting Poole into some early foul trouble put us at a disadvantage, being that she's one of our best scorers and has some size to give Georgia Tech a little bit of resistance. We knew we had to play a lot more physical to keep [Nerea] Hermosa and [Lorela] Cubaj off of the glass and we gave them too many second-chance opportunities."
On what Johnson means to the team…
"Amani Johnson, what can you say? She played nearly 40 minutes in the game and plays at an incredibly high level the entire time. She's getting shots for herself. She's finding teammates. In just our short time together, she already knows how I think. Her stepping up tonight was huge, especially in that fourth quarter."
On the play of Amaris Baker…
"A great freshman. She's come in and has been heady and courageous when she drives to the rim. She's also allowed us the opportunity to get Amani off the ball, so she can get some more scoring opportunities for us."
Coach's takeaway from the game…
"We outscored Georgia Tech in the fourth quarter and that's something to build on. Our kids never quit. We hit a couple more free throws and a couple more layups go down, you never know. We're going to get back to work, but we have a lot to build on. They're the No. 17 team in the country, they may be the No. 10 team in the country, but I love the way our team competed in the fourth."
HOW IT HAPPENED
The matchup began in a promising fashion for the visitors, with Gabi Legister nailing a jumper off of a Georgia Tech turnover to take the 2-0 lead.
Alexis Poole answered a tying layup from the Yellow Jackets with a finger roll of her own, but that would be the last lead the Owls would hold in the game.
The Atlanta, Ga. team used their size to control the glass, but the Owls were able to inflict their style of play more and more as the game went on.
With 7:02 left in the game, Johnson would nail a pullup jumper for yet another landmark in her already impressive career. Scoring her 10th point of the game, the tally put the Pennsylvanian over the 1,000-point mark. The point guard is only the seventh player in KSU's Division I history to notch 1,000 points.
Poole and Julia Rodriguez lit ablaze in the fourth quarter, scoring 12 points between them in the last 10 minutes.
Unfortunately, the deficit made it too difficult to mount a comeback and the final whistle blew with the No. 17 Yellow Jackets taking a 72-45 win.
NOTES
- The Owls scored 19 of their 45 points from the bench.
- KSU scored 12 points off of turnovers.
- Johnson became the seventh player in KSU's Division I history to score 1,000 career points.
- Georgia Tech out-fouled the Owls 20-17.
UP NEXT
The Owls head back to the Convocation Center for a Monday-night contest against FIU. Tipoff against the Panthers will be at 7:30 p.m.
To keep up with the latest Kennesaw State women's basketball news follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and @KSUOwlsWBB or by liking Kennesaw State University on Facebook.
