By: Zac Pike
Kennesaw State (9-10), (5-3)
vs. Central Arkansas (6-13), (1-7)
Location: Kennesaw, Ga. | KSU Convocation Center
Date: Jan. 28
Time: 2:00 p.m. EST
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KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State women's basketball hosts Central Arkansas at the KSU Convocation Center Saturday at 2 p.m.
KSU and Central Arkansas have met twice and just once at the Division I level, with the Owls winning both meetings in the series and getting a 66-52 win last season over the Sugar Bears.
Amani Johnson finished with 12 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Jah'Che Whitfield added 10 points, four boards and three dimes.
The Owls enter the matchup with an 8-4 record over their past 12 games. The 5-3 start in ASUN Conference play under second-year coach, Octavia Blue is the best start for KSU since the 2016-17 season when the Owls finished 8-6 in conference play. Kennesaw State is currently tied for fifth with EKU in the ASUN standings and has already matched last season's win totals in overall wins and conference wins.
Crashing the Glass
KSU's offensive rebounding has been a staple all season. The Owls lead the ASUN and are 57th in the nation in offensive rebounds per game, with 13.6. Against North Alabama, KSU grabbed 22 offensive boards. Kennesaw State has pulled down at least 11 offensive rebounds in 14 of 19 games this season.
Defending The Nest
Kennesaw State has posted a 5-2 record at home, which is the best start since the 2014-15 season. KSU is averaging 76.9 points per game and allowing just 60.0 points per contest with an average margin of victory of 16.9. The Owls have also surpassed the century mark twice in seven games at home this season.
Amani Johnson Adds Another Milestone
The graduate senior added another major milestone to her outstanding career on Saturday. Johnson knocked down a pair of free throws late in the game at Austin Peay, which put her past the 1,500-point mark in her KSU career. The guard is already the KSU DI all-time leader in scoring (1,528), assists (579), field goals made (562), field goals attempted (1,502), minutes played (4,746) and steals (237). Johnson's 4.9 assists per game rank third in the ASUN.
Owls Flying High
Kennesaw State is 8-4 over its last 12 games, which included a three-game winning streak for the first time since early February last year. The Owls took down Bellarmine on the road, Central Arkansas and North Florida from Feb. 5th through Feb. 12th a season ago. This season KSU posted another three-game winning streak with wins coming against Austin Peay at home and wins on the road at Bellarmine and Lipscomb.
Defense is Key
The KSU defense drives the success of the team this season and the Owls are 8-2 when holding their opponent below 40 percent shooting from the field. The KSU defense has held opponents below 65 points in six of the past seven contests and held three of those opponents to 57 points or fewer. Kennesaw State is 5-0 this season when limiting opponents under 60 points.
Hooks Posts Career-High 21 Points at Lipscomb
Carly Hooks stuffed the stat sheet at Lipscomb. The Atlanta native finished with a career-best 21 points, four rebounds, three steals, two blocks and two assists on the night. The junior was equally efficient in a 65-60 win at Jacksonville State where she posted 19 points (16 in the second half and 10 in the third quarter), three steals, an assist and a rebound. Hooks leads the squad in steals (29) and blocks (14). Hooks finished with a career-high nine rebounds Thursday night against North Alabama.
Whitfield Leading Owls in Multiple Categories
Jah'Che Whitfield finished with a career-high 23 points and 10 rebounds at EKU in the ASUN Conference opener, posting her first double-double of the season and the ninth of her career. The Sumter, S.C. native has scored at least 11 points in 12 of the last 13 games and leads the Owls in scoring (13.8), rebounding (5.7), defensive rebounds (82), made field goals (98), field goals attempted (223), free throws made (51) and free throws attempted (80). The graduate senior ranks 10th in the ASUN in points per game (13.9) and 15th in rebounds (5.7).
Scouting Central Arkansas
Central Arkansas averages 51.4 points per game on offense and is ranked 12
th in the ASUN and 340
th nationally but only gives up 60.9 points per game defensively, good for 5
th in the conference. Parris Atkins leads the Sugar Bears on offense, averaging 11.6 points per game and Randrea Wright is second with 10.5. Kierra Prim is the leader on the glass, averaging 8.4 points and 7.8 rebounds a game.
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.
