Score: Kennesaw State 109, Coastal Georgia 53
Records: Kennesaw State (4-7), Coastal Georgia (1-11)
Key Players: Jah'Che Whitfield (19 pts, 6 rebs, 2 asts, 2 stls); Bre'Lyn Snipes (Career-high 16 points, 7-of-10 FGs, 5 rebs, 2 asts, 2 stls); Amani Johnson (15 pts, career-best 13 asts, 6 stls, 1 blk); Lyndsey Whilby (11 pts, 6 rebs); Keyarah Berry (11 pts, 5 rebs); Stacie Jones (10 pts, 6 rebs, 2 stls)
THE STORYLINE
Kennesaw State scored a program-record 109 points and Amani Johnson added another record to an already illustrious career as the graduate senior scored 15 points to break the KSU Division I career scoring record as the Owls raced past Coastal Georgia 109-53 Thursday night at the KSU Convocation Center. Johnson finished with her first double-double of the season, scoring 15 and dishing out a career-high 13 assists. Six Owls finished the night in double-digits, as Jah'Che Whitfield notched a game-high 19 points and Bre'Lyn Snipes scored a career-best 16 points, shooting 70 percent from the floor. Lyndsey Whilby and Keyarah Berry chipped in 11 points each and Stacie Jones added 10 to lead the KSU offense.
The Owls set season highs in points (109), field goals made (38), field goal attempts (81), free throws made (25), assists (23), steals (15) and blocked shots (6) in a dominant performance against the Mariners.
COACH OCTAVIA BLUE QUOTES
On tonight's performance…
"It was a great win. I thought we came out how we wanted to play early and put up some points on the board and had the chance for a career night and break a record for Amani Johnson."
On Amani breaking the scoring record…
"It was awesome. When she missed the last free throw late, I dialed up a play for the very next play and with her being the player that she is, she hit the shot to break the record. It was really great to see."
On setting the school record for points in a game…
"This game will make a huge impact for us as we are getting ready for Eastern Kentucky, who ended our season last year, to open up conference play. It's an opportunity for us to build on what we have started here. We had a lot of people get some playing time tonight which is helping us build depth and confidence in each of those players.
On Bre'Lyn Snipes career night…
"It was amazing. I was looking to her to have a breakout game. She was a starter for us last year and started for the first portion of the season this year. She came out today and was ready when her number was called and hit big shots and got on the offensive glass. One thing we know about her is that Bre'Lyn is going to run the floor and she did a phenomenal job. I was happy to see her break out tonight."
HOW IT HAPPENED
KSU jumped out to a quick 15-5 start in the first three minutes as Whitfield scored four points, Whilby and Johnson both added five each for the Owls during the stretch.
The Owls held Coastal Georgia to 3-of-16 shooting in the first quarter and forced four turnovers as KSU built a 26-8 lead after one.
Kennesaw State began the second quarter in similar fashion, going on a 21-6 run over the first five minutes, highlighted by nine points from Snipes and four from Prencis Harden to extend the lead to 33, 47-14.
Gillian Piccolino closed out the half with seven points over the final 1:57, including a triple with five seconds left as KSU took a 59-26 lead into the break. The 59 points scored in the first half were tied for the most by the Owls in a half this season.
The Owls hit four straight field goals during a 13-1 run in the third quarter and held the Mariners 0-for-6 from the floor to extend the lead to 72-29, with 4:56 left.
KSU closed the quarter scoring nine of the final 12 points to take an 81-32 lead into the fourth.
Kennesaw State again started off strong in the final quarter, with a quick 14-4 run to push the lead to 94-36 with 6:13 to go in the game.
Johnson needed just 13 points on the night to break the KSU Division 1 career scoring record and broke the record on a three-pointer to give her 15 with 2:36 left to put her atop the Kennesaw State leaderboard as the Owls extended the lead to 102-47. KSU finished with a program record of 109 points, surpassing the previous high of 100.
UP NEXT
KSU begins ASUN Conference action Monday at Eastern Kentucky at 7 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.
