Box Score
Score: Kennesaw State 53, Stetson 64
Records: Kennesaw State (6-11, 1-11), Stetson (7-10, 5-7)
Key Players: Jah'Che Whitfield (13 pts, 13 rebs), Amani Johnson (10 pts, 7 assts), Breanna Hoover (11 pts, 3-8 3FG, 4 reb, 2 assts), Stacie Jones (9 pts, 5 rebs)
THE STORYLINE
There wasn't a dry eye in the house as Kennesaw State commemorated student manager Nasya Chaney and guard Breanna Hoover. Poetically playing her first game back from injury, Hoover's solid 11-point game wasn't enough to secure a victory for the Owls.
COACH KHADIJA HEAD QUOTES
On Breanna Hoover…
"Breanna Hoover is a warrior. Her class started with seven kids that committed to the Owls and she is the only one that remains. That says something about her character. Your word means something and she is the epitome of when you pledge to a program, a university, a department, teammates and coaching staff and you have the fortitude to stay with that commitment for four years. That does not go unnoticed. She is going to be a highly, highly successful adult. Every KSU alum is going to be so proud of her."
On the weekend series against Stetson…
"Jah'Che came into this weekend and got two double-doubles and played out of position. We're down to eight players and yesterday we played with seven. I have some tough kids. It's tough to show up everyday and practice knowing you get a ton of rest and then to go back-to-back weekends. I've got kids that are playing 40 minutes and not one kid is complaining. They look forward to this opportunity. They approach this opportunity understanding knowing it's an opportunity to get better and compete.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After Saturday's game, the Owls were motivated to set everything right and played Stetson with an aggressive press. Both teams found it difficult to score in the first quarter, with both teams' defensive focus stifling scoring opportunities.
With 3:10 left in the quarter, Amani Johnson drew a shooting foul and swished both of her free throws to bring the Owls within two. 28 seconds later, Johnson pulled up on a fast break and shot a trifecta to grab a 7-6 lead for the home team.
With 27 seconds left in the period, woman of honor Breanna Hoover scored a corner three to tie the game up at 10; however, the Hatters mirrored KSU's last scoring play with a three of their own and ended the quarter with a 13-10 lead.
It's no wonder that the second quarter was the strongest for the Owls, as Gabi Legister capped off a 4:29 10-0 run with a layup. This streak put Kennesaw State up 20-13 with 5:31 left in the half.
The defense was coming through for KSU and limited Stetson to just eight points in the second quarter, allowing the Owls to take a 25-21 lead into the locker room at halftime.
The Hatters nailed two 3-pointers to start off the second half, but Hoover hit a trey of her own to retake the lead at 28-27.
While both teams were trading buckets, Stetson's efficiency from the 3-point line allowed the Hatters to take a 35-31 lead into the third quarter media timeout.
Whitfield worked efficiently by scoring five points in the third quarter off of layups, but Stetson continued to nail threes. KSU had work to do, as the Owls trailed 46-39 going into the fourth and final quarter.
Both teams were tensely fighting for a win and Hoover wanted to end her Senior Day right. The co-captain got the KSU scoring going in the fourth quarter with a layup to cut Stetson down to a 48-41 lead.
Reigning ASUN Player of the Week Yazz Wazeerud-Din made a layup of her own to take the first Hatter lead of more than 10 points, with Stetson leading 52-41 with 7:34 left in the game.
The Owls' last two buckets were 3-pointers from Hoover and Whitfield, but the push was too late.
The final whistle blew with the visitors winning 64-53. Interim Head Coach Khadija Head thanked the home faithful and addressed a poignant message to her co-captain Breanna Hoover.
NOTES
- KSU outrebounded Stetson 36-29.
- Jah'Che Whitfield ends game with a double-double, her fourth of the season and second in a row.
- Breanna Hoover scores her highest tally in a 2020-21 conference game, going three-of-eight from 3-point field goals for 11 points.
UP NEXT
The Owls are on the road again as they head to Florida to take on Jacksonville. Both games will tip off at 1 p.m., as KSU play the Dolphins on Saturday, Feb. 27 and Sunday, Feb. 28.
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.
