By: Matteen Zibanejadrad
Kennesaw State (3-6), (0-0) vs. Georgia Southern (8-2), (0-0)
Location: Kennesaw, Ga. | Convocation Center
Date: Friday, Dec. 16
Time: 7 p.m. EST
Live Stats | Watch | Game Notes
The Kennesaw State women's basketball team returns to action in the Convocation Center after an 11-day layoff to face off against in-state competition in Georgia Southern.
The Owls are coming off their most exciting game of the season, carrying the momentum from a game-tying, buzzer-beating 3-pointer from Amani Johnson to beat Furman 70-59 in overtime on Monday, Dec. 6.
KSU Athletics is offering fans the opportunity to take part in two exciting promotions: Ugly Sweater Night and the Stay for Four Scholarship. The Owl Nation is invited to crack open their closet and find the ugliest holiday sweater they can; students can also check into the game using the Owl Rewards application to enter for a chance to win a $2,000 scholarship, but the winner must stay until the winner is announced in the fourth quarter.
AMAZING AMANI
For her heroic performance, Johnson was named the ASUN Player of the Week on Monday afternoon.
The accolade wasn't just awarded because of the KSU co-captain showing off her clutch gene at the end of regulation; it was Johnson's most-rounded showing of the season.
The Pennsylvanian finished second among Owls in scoring with 14 points, but she also logged her 400th assist with a season-high seven-dime performance. Johnson's four steals was also her best output in the campaign so far.
Only forward Stacie Jones grabbed more Kennesaw State boards than Johnson's six, but the senior's show of stamina might be the most impressive feat of all.
Johnson played 44 minutes in the overtime contest, leaving the court for only a minute.
THE DEEP END
Alexis Poole made the most of her 22 minutes on the Convocation Center court against the Paladins, leading the team with a 19-point night.
The Ellenwood, Ga. native was also the primary reason that the squad looked so good from the free-throw line, making all of her 11 shots.
This accomplishment marks the third-straight season that Poole has successfully shot 10 free throws in a contest.
SCOUTING GEORGIA SOUTHERN
Georgia Southern stole the headlines this past Monday, beating non-DI opponents Carver College 133-15. The 118-point margin of victory narrowly missed the 129-point record.
The Eagles rank in the top 10 teams in the nation in eight different statistical categories, including rebounds per game (3rd - 47.9), scoring offense (4th - 88.3) and steals per game (5th - 14.1).
The statistical rankings also show some weaknesses in Georgia Southern's game, which KSU may look to exploit. The Eagles turnover the ball quite a bit, 20.2 times per game to be exact. This figure puts them in the bottom 10% of Division I teams. They are also displaying a high volume of fouls in their contests, giving away 18.4 fouls per game.
NEXT GAME
The Owls hit the road on Monday, Dec. 20 to take on the SEC's Auburn Tigers at 1 p.m. at the Auburn Arena.
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.
