Box Score

Score: Kennesaw State 60, FGCU 104
Records: Kennesaw State (6-8, 1-8), FGCU (16-2, 9-0)
Key Players: Stacie Jones (19 pts, 9 rebs, 3 assts), Julia Rodriguez (18 pts, 4 rebs), Amani Johnson (10 pts, 2 assts), Yamani Paul (8 pts, 4 rebs)

THE STORYLINE
The Owls' freshmen were phenomenal on Saturday afternoon, as Julia Rodriguez set a new career high in points with 18 and Stacie Jones tied her best with 19. Despite these impressive performances, Kennesaw State found it difficult to find a foothold against the Eagles and the best team in the ASUN won 104-60 on home soil.

COACH KHADIJA HEAD QUOTES
On facing FGCU…
"Today's game is the opportunity you look forward to in the game of basketball. FGCU is ranked #27th in the nation and I'm so proud of how Stacie Jones and Julia Rodriguez stepped up to the challenge."

On the play of Rodriguez and Jones...
"This was Julia's first opportunity to play in her home state and she capitalized on the opportunity, scoring a career-high 18 points. Stacie Jones continued her offensive dominance leading us in both rebounds and points. It's encouraging to see two freshmen step up against a nationally-ranked opponent."

On what the Owls did well…
"The way in which our kids attacked the rim is also a bright spot to build upon. To get to the free-throw line 31 times against a solid defensive team is an achievement. Amani's ability to convert her attempts does not go unnoticed as she contributed with 10 points. We will build off of today's display of aggressively attacking the rim, crashing the offensive boards and converting them into second-chance points.

HOW IT HAPPENED 
FGCU started the game with a 5-0 run and there was no looking back for the Eagles. Their scoring streak was ended by a Stacie Jones jumper 2:26 into the first quarter, but Florida Gulf Coast made two quick layups to put the Owls down 9-2 going into the first media timeout of the matchup. 

Jones and Julia Rodriguez were the only Owls to score in the first quarter, but their 11 combined points were interspersed between a series of 5-0 runs from FGCU; KSU was down 11-23 heading into the second quarter.

The Eagles continued their stellar scoring form, starting the period with a 9-0 run that was ended by a Rodriguez jumper. 

Jones and Rodriguez strung together two straight baskets a minute apart to cut the FGCU lead to 34-17. 

Rodriguez was hot from the jumper, hitting three in the last five minutes of the second quarter to give her 13 points in the first half. 

Jones made KSU's last bucket of the half with 1:11 to go, laying up a Jah'Che Whitfield pass; however, both teams went into the locker room at the halftime whistle with the Eagles leading 51-25. 

FGCU's grasp on the game grew stronger and stronger through the start of the second half, but a great scoring run for the Eagles was cut short by a step-back three from Amani Johnson to make the score 62-29 with 6:35 left in the third. Johnson led all Owls in third quarter scoring, going five-from-six from the free-throw line for eight points. 

Rodriguez made a layup at the 3:14 mark to give her 15 points, beating her previous career-high point tally against UNCW on Dec. 18, 2020. 

The Eagles went 10-16 in the third quarter, good enough to find themselves leading 78-41 at the end of the third quarter. 

KSU started off stronger in the fourth quarter and scored on three straight possessions through Jones, Johnson and Yamani Paul, but FGCU matched them shot for shot. 

Paul scored six of her eight points in the fourth quarter, going a perfect 4-4 from the free throw line to combine with her 6:26 layup. 

The last action of the game came through Jones, as she matched her best-ever scoring performance from last week's game against Young Harris with her 19th point. 

The Owls will look to regroup and come back to Alico Arena for game two of the series, after FGCU took game one 104-60. 

NOTES
- Julia Rodriguez sets a personal high in scoring in her home state, scoring 18 points.

- Stacie Jones scored 19 points, a count she's only matched against Young Harris.

- KSU outrebounded FGCU 30-29.

- The Eagles outfouled the Owls 28-15. 

UP NEXT
The Owls get a chance to even the series against FGCU Sunday afternoon, as KSU returns to Alico Arena for a 2 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.