Score: Kennesaw State 57, Mercer 60
Records: Kennesaw State (3-7), Mercer (4-6)
Key Players: Jah'Che Whitfield (15 pts, 7 rebs, 2 asts); Amani Johnson (12 pts, 5-of-9 FGs, 5 rebs, 1 stl, 1 ast); Stacie Jones (12 pts, 8 rebs)
THE STORYLINE
Kennesaw State came up just short in a 60-57 loss to Mercer Monday night at the KSU Convocation Center. The Owls used a furious rally in the final minute and had a chance to send the game into overtime with a three-pointer as time expired but just missed as the Bears held on for the win. Jah'Che Whitfield, Amani Johnson and Stacie Jones combined for 39 of KSU's 57 points to power the offense.
COACH OCTAVIA BLUE QUOTES
On tonight's performance…
"It was disappointing. We competed for the majority of the game. But Mercer is a very good team who has won five out of the last six conference championships in the SoCon. Having Mercer on our home floor, we really knew that it was a big game for us as we are trying to turn the corner. We led for most of the first half, and I thought the third quarter was going to be huge for us coming out of halftime. I thought we fouled them and put them on the line too much to allow them to score when the clock was stopped. Obviously, two of their scorers were on the bench with foul trouble. We knew and we were aware that when they came back in, they were going to be aggressive. We had a chance at the end to try and extend the game to force overtime but unfortunately, we were unable to hit that shot. But I wouldn't have it any other way. We got Amani Johnson wide open for a great look."
On positive takeaways from today's game and areas of improvement…
"We have been struggling with rebounding for most of this season and we outrebounded Mercer by eight today and had 18 offensive rebounds. Jah'Che Whitfield continues to be very consistent, and I thought Stacie Jones played some really good minutes for us. We were ready and prepared for the triangle and two defense but our shots just didn't fall. We had extra opportunities to hit those shots, but the ball just didn't fall our way. We have to regroup after Christmas and get back after it.
On lessons the team can learn from the second and third quarter lull…
"You have to play the third quarter like it's a new game. We understand that the game is about momentum and great teams are going to make runs. We have to be able to withstand those runs and keep fighting. When we put four quarters together, like we did at Furman where we won all four quarters, that's the key. We have to always play at a high level, not take a break and everyone is needed. When we make substitutions, there can't be a drop off in productivity."
HOW IT HAPPENED
Mercer made three of its first five shots in the opening three minutes to take an early 8-4 lead.
The Owls answered with a 13-6 run to take a 17-12 lead, with 2:44 remaining. Whitfield and Johnson combined for nine of the 13 points during the stretch.
KSU's offense featured a balanced attack in the first quarter as five Owls scored at least three points to go up five, 21-16, at the end of the first.
Keyarah Berry knocked down Kennesaw State's first three-pointer of the game with 5:33 remaining in the second quarter to extend the lead to 27-20.
The Owls scored on three straight possessions late in the second quarter to stretch the lead to nine, 33-24, before Mercer scored the final three points of the half.
Mercer's Amoria Neal-Tysor scored six of the team's first 15 points to open the third quarter as the Bears retook the lead, 41-40, with 3:05 left.
Jones finished a tough shot at the basket near the end of the third as KSU jumped back in front by one.
Kennesaw State scored the first five points of the fourth quarter to stretch the lead back to six, 47-41, with just over seven minutes remaining in the game.
Mercer answered with an 11-0 run of its own over the next 2:30 to take back the lead, 52-47.
Whitifield scored four straight points for the Owls to cut it to one, with 3:49 remaining in the contest.
The Bears countered by making four straight field goals to extend the score to 60-51 with 1:45 to go.
Johnson knocked down a huge triple to cap off a 6-0 run to pull the Owls within three, 60-57, with 36 seconds remaining.
With 3.5 seconds left on the clock, KSU inbounded the ball, but Johnson's three-pointer just missed off the back rim as time expired.
UP NEXT
KSU hosts Coastal Georgia on Dec. 29th at 7 p.m. at the KSU Convocation Center.
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.
