Score: Kennesaw State 71, Jacksonville State 61
Records: Kennesaw State (8-9, 4-2), Jacksonville State (9-8, 2-4)
Key Players: Jah'Che Whitfield (21 points, 6 rebs, 2 asts); Stacie Jones (12 points, 9 rebs, 2 asts, 1 blk); Lyndsey Whilby (10 points, 4 rebs, 2 stl, 1 blk, 1 ast)
THE STORYLINE
Kennesaw State led for nearly all 40 minutes and cruised to a 71-61 win over Jacksonville State Thursday night at the KSU Convocation Center. With the win, the Owls improved to 4-2 overall in ASUN Conference play, their best start since the 2007-08 season and have won seven of their last 10 games. KSU's 5-1 record at home is the best in nearly 10 years and the Owls have won three straight at the KSU Convocation Center. Jah'Che Whitfield posted a strong performance Thursday night with 21 points (16 in the first half), six rebounds and two assists. The Sumter, S.C. native has scored in double-figures in 10 of the past 11 contests and 20 or more three times this season. Stacie Jones finished with 12 points and nine boards and Lyndsey Whilby added 10, going 2-for-4 from distance to lead the Owls.
COACH OCTAVIA BLUE QUOTES
On the strong first half…
"We wanted to come out and make a statement. We talk about how we come out and start games and got off to a good start. Speaking of the fourth quarter, Jacksonville State is a good team. They were the runner-up in the ASUN Conference. We knew that they were not going to lie down and allow us to keep pounding. We weathered the storm in the fourth quarter."
On preparing for Jacksonville State…
"The preparation is done; we've scouted the thoroughly and we just had to go play. We know what we need to do, we know the game plan, so we just had to come out and execute tonight."
On Jah'Che Whitfield and Stacie Jones…
"Jah'Che Whitfield has been about as consistent and been the most consistent player for us by far. Stacie Jones has just started to really come into her own. She's starting to play with more patience, she's picking her spots and not playing in a rush. We knew she had that kind of ability, but you are really starting to see the maturation of Stacie Jones."
On holding off the late Jacksonville State rally…
"When we are up, we don't need to take risks. We need to take sure shots and take care of the ball. I think we got a little overzealous and over-penetrated to get a couple of offensive fouls. We were just rushing and playing too fast for no reason. We have to take care of the ball and take care of the clock. We are still a program learning to win and every day is a lesson. I was just really proud of my ball club, hitting big shots when we needed to close this one out."
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Owls got off to a blistering start with a 13-5 run, Whitfield scored six quick points and Whilby knocked down a triple as KSU went 5-for-6 from the field in the opening minutes.
KSU shot 50 percent from three (2-for-4) and a perfect 6-for-6 from the charity stripe to take a 24-13 lead into the second quarter.
Kennesaw State started the second quarter on a 10-0 run to push the lead to 21, 34-13.
The KSU offense kept applying pressure with another 6-0 run as the defense held the Gamecocks from scoring until Kennedy Gavin went on a 6-0 run of her own with 4:24 left in the first half.
Kennesaw State closed out the half on Whilby's second trey of the night in the final seconds of the second quarter, leading 44-24.
Both defenses started the second half strong, with multiple steals and blocks on display early in the third quarter. The Gamecocks broke the scoring drought with eight points in 76 seconds to cut into KSU's big lead.
Kennesaw State answered with layups by Bre'lyn Snipes and Gabi Legister, pushing its 20-point lead heading into the fourth quarter, up 58-38.
Jacksonville State found a spark early in the fourth, going on a 6-0 run in 66 seconds. The Gamecocks were able to cut the deficit to seven with 1:39 remaining off Kennedy Gavin's 27th point of the night, but the Owl defense and Whitfield made key defensive stands late to ice the game as the Owls secured the 71-61 win.
UP NEXT
KSU hits the road for a rematch with Jacksonville State Saturday at 5 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.
