Score: Kennesaw State 66, Austin Peay 57
Records: Kennesaw State (5-8, 1-1), Austin Peay (6-6, 1-1)
Key Players: Lyndsey Whilby (17 points, 4-of-8 3FGs, 3 rebs); Jah'Che Whitfield (14 pts, team-high 7 rebs, 2 asts, 1 stl); Amani Johnson (11 pts, 4 rebs, 3 asts, 2 stls); Keyarah Berry (11 pts, 4 rebs, 1 stl)
THE STORYLINE
Kennesaw State defeated Austin Peay 66-57 Thursday night at the KSU Convocation Center to improve to 1-1 in ASUN Conference play and 4-1 at home this season. The Owls outlasted the Governors in a game that featured 12 lead changes and six ties. KSU outscored the visitors 41-31 in the second half to earn the nine-point victory. Four Owls scored at least 11 points. Lyndsey Whilby finished with a game-high 17 points, Jah'Che Whitfield added 11 points, while Amani Johnson and Keyarah Berry both chipped in 11 on the night.
COACH OCTAVIA BLUE QUOTES
On Keyarah Berry and Kyndall Golden's performances…
"I thought Kyndall and KB gave us solid minutes. Obviously, Jah'Che Whitfield struggled in the first half, only going 1-of-6. So, I called KB's number and those two really grew up tonight. We had great contributions from those ladies."
On holding Yamiah Johnson to eight points…
"When someone has a great player like that, she has to be at the top of the scouting report. So, we paid a lot of attention to her. We wanted to make her take tough shots the whole time and I think we did a great job of doing that."
On Lyndsey Whilby's night…
"She can really fill it up scoring. She was feeling herself on that step-back three. She hit big, timely shots for us. Every time Austin Peay tried to answer, she came back with a dagger. So, I was really happy with the way my team responded tonight, specifically Lyndsey Whilby.
On separating from Austin Peay…
"We came out and hit some big shots, there were a ton of loose balls, rebounds everywhere, everybody is crashing inside the paint, and I told our team that the toughest team is going to win. We are at home, and we have to defend our home court and our ladies showed up tonight.
On the momentum headed into the upcoming road trip…
"I feel great. It's always good to get a win at home and we know what it takes to play on the road. Unfortunately, we just have one day to prepare but I'm going to get the ladies some rest and we will be ready to go.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Whilby kicked things off for the KSU offense early, going 2-for-2 from the floor on a pair of layups as the Owls gained an early 5-3 advantage four minutes into the contest.
Austin Peay knocked down a three-pointer to take a 6-5 lead, but Bre'Lyn Snipes answered on the other end with a tough finish in the paint to put KSU back in front with 4:36 left in the first quarter.
Driving to her left with less than 40 seconds in the first, Whitfield completed a three-point play to extend the lead to four, 12-8. The Kennesaw State defense limited the Governors to just 3-of-13 (23.1 percent) shooting in the first 10 minutes of action.
The Govs opened the second quarter on a 10-3 run, going 4-for-5 from the field to retake the lead, 21-15, with 6:51 to go in the first half.
Johnson hit a mid-range jumper and Whilby connected on a step-back triple to pull the Owls within one before Austin Peay countered with a corner three to end the KSU run.
Whilby hit her second three-pointer of the game to put the Owls back in front, 25-24, with 56 seconds remaining in the second quarter before the Govs knocked down a pair of free throws to take a 26-25 lead into the break.
KSU opened the third quarter with a pair of three-pointers from Johnson and Whitfield and a three-point play from Stacie Jones as the Owls jumped back in front, 34-29.
Johnson scored four of KSU's next eight points to make it 42-35 with 3:15 left in the third.
Austin Peay answered with a 7-0 run over the next 1:30 to tie the game at 42-42. Whilby followed with another step-back triple to put KSU ahead once again.
The Kennesaw State defense clamped down in the opening 3:08 of the fourth quarter, holding the Governors to 1-of-6 shooting to push the lead back to seven, 55-48.
KSU used a 5-0 run, highlighted by Whilby's fourth three-pointer of the game to grab its biggest lead of the game, 62-54, with 3:13 remaining in the game.
The Owls hit four free throws over the final minute to secure the 66-57 win.
UP NEXT
KSU travels to Louisville, Ky. for a matchup against Bellarmine Saturday at 1 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.
