By: Matteen Zibanejadrad
Kennesaw State (5-11), (1-4)
vs. Jacksonville State (14-4), (5-1)
Location: Kennesaw, Ga. | Convocation Center
Date: Thursday, Jan. 27
Time: 5 p.m. EST
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Game Notes
The Kennesaw State women's basketball team returns home to the Convocation Center on Thursday night, welcoming back ASUN returners Jacksonville State for the first matchup between the two teams in over five years.
The Owls are coming off of a 61-53 loss at Lipscomb on Saturday, a game decided by the 3-pointers made by the Bisons.
STARTING OUT HOT
The Owls have been opening games at a high tempo, but have had troubles keeping up that tempo over 40 minutes.
Octavia Blue's group has outscored opponents at a rate of 80-78 in the first quarter and have led after the first quarter in the last three games.
The KSU defense was really causing Lipscomb problems in the opening 10 minutes on Saturday, limiting the Bisons to three-of-14 from the field.
Having eight players or less in two of the team's last four games, a return to a full-strength, fully-fit squad could prove a driving force in the Owls keeping that level of play over four quarters.
GILL ON THE GLASS
Deployed more in a forward position over the past few weeks, the Owls' no. 30 has made the most of her opportunity after finding herself in the starting five for four games straight.
In conference play, only one other ASUN player has logged more defensive rebounds than Piccolino; the Pennsylvanian ranks fifth in the league for total boards per game, averaging 7.8 rebounds in conference matchups.
The junior has been no slouch in scoring either, netting more points in the last two games (20) than her opening seven games combined (17).
SCOUTING JACKSONVILLE STATE
In their first season since returning to the ASUN Conference, the Gamecocks sit atop the West division. Coach Rick Pietri's squad wins games by taking care of the ball, ranking fourth in the nation among teams with the fewest turnovers per game.
Much of Jacksonville State's ball protection is thanks to point guard NeKiyah Thompson, who ranks first in the conference and 11th in the nation with 2.71 assist-to-turnover ratio. The Atlanta, Ga. native is also a top-five playmaker in the ASUN, averaging 4.2 assists per game.
The Gamecocks are dangerous from the perimeter and the paint. Senior Imari Martin is one of the premier 3-point shooters of the ASUN West, sitting third in the conference with 57 3-pointers made. Six-foot forward Kennedy Gavin sweeps everything up under the basket, averaging 6.9 boards per game.
NEXT GAME
The Owls close out their two-game homestand with the Alumni Game against North Alabama on Saturday, Jan. 29 at 2 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.
