Score: Kennesaw State - 58, No. 22 West Virginia - 78
Records: Kennesaw State (1-3, 0-0), West Virginia (2-0, 0-0)
Key Players: Amani Johnson (14 pts, 4 assts, 2 rebs); Yamani Paul (9 pts, 7 4Q pts, 3 rebs); Gabi Legister (9 pts, 2 rebs, 1 asst)
THE STORYLINE
The Kennesaw State women's basketball gave the No. 22 Mountaineers a fight, outscoring the hosts in the first and fourth quarters; however, West Virginia was able to close out a 78-58 win Friday afternoon in the WVU Coliseum.
COACH OCTAVIA BLUE QUOTES
On the team never giving up...
"We don't give up; that's our identity. Whether we're playing a top-25 team or a top-5 team. We're just going to keep fighting. The ladies believe in our game plan, they believe in our coaching staff and they believe in the work they've put in. They continue to fight on the court and I love what I'm seeing from my squad."
On Johnson's continued leadership…
"She's just so reliable. Each and every game she knows that I'm going to count on her to lead our team whether she's scoring points or just directing people in the right direction. She never disappoints. She continues to give 110% each and every night and inspires her teammates with her play."
On Paul's fourth quarter…
"I can't say enough about Yamani. Our frontcourt players were getting in foul trouble so I dialed her up and she kept coming through. I was seeing the way she was playing and I just kept calling plays to get the ball in her hands. She was still making nice plays even when she wasn't scoring. I'm really pleased with the effort she gave today. She was alert on defense and got on the ground. When I talk about my girls bringing the fight and grit that I want to see from my ball club."
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Owls opened up the game controlling the pace, jumping out to an early 12-9 lead thanks to six points from Alexis Poole.
The competition was extremely close in the first quarter and the Mountaineers were able to use the coast-to-coast tempo of the matchup to tie the game at 14 with 4:11 left in the period.
Johnson followed up an Amaris Baker layup with a 3-pointer off of the fast break, taking the team's biggest lead of the game with a 19-14 scoreline at the 3:32 mark.
The first quarter ended with the Owls leading 23-21, as Johnson and Poole combined for 13 points.
The Mountaineers were more willing and able to inflict their style of play in the middle portion of the game, scoring 44 points over KSU's 20 in the second and third quarters.
Yamani Paul was subbed in the Owls down 72-45 and began to play to her strengths in the frontcourt.
Over the next four minutes, Paul scored seven-straight points and sparked a late-game surge for her team.
The Owls would finish the game with their heads held high, with an 11-1 run over the last 5:13 of the clash.
UP NEXT
The Owls return home to the Convocation Center for a two-game stint, facing off against Chattanooga in the first game on Tuesday, Nov. 23 with a 7 p.m. tipoff.
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.
