Score: Kennesaw State 64, Bellarmine 56
Records: Kennesaw State (6-8, 2-1), Bellarmine (4-12, 0-3)
Key Players: Amani Johnson (13 pts, 3-of-6 3FGs, 6 asts, 2 rebs, 1 stl); Stacie Jones (12 pts, 7 rebs); Lyndsey Whilby (12 pts, 6 rebs, 1 blk, 1 stl); Gabi Legister (10 pts, 3 rebs)
THE STORYLINE
Kennesaw State defeated Bellarmine 64-56 Saturday afternoon at Freedom Hall to improve to 2-1 in ASUN Conference action for the first time since 2015-16. The Owls nearly led from start to finish as they took control early and didn't look back. KSU's defense was key in the win, forcing 20 takeaways and outscoring Bellarmine 19-0 in points off turnovers. Four Owls finished in double-digits, led by Amani Johnson's 13 points. Stacie Jones and Lyndsey Whilby each added 12 and Gabi Legister scored a season-best 10 in the win.
COACH OCTAVIA BLUE QUOTES
On today's performance…
"It was a gutsy win, and it was one that needed every bit of what it took to get it today. We had to fight tooth and nail, play for play, quarter for quarter to get that win against a much-improved Bellarmine team than we've played in the past."
On the 2-1 start in ASUN play for the first time since 2015-16…
"We'll we have been playing some challenging games in our non-conference. I said very early on that hopefully we were learning lessons from all those tough losses and those tough opponents. Playing three Power-5 opponents almost back-to-back-to-back and playing a very good non-conference opponents, I was hoping we would grow up and it seems like we are."
On forcing 20 turnovers and outscoring Bellarmine 19-0 in points off turnovers…
"We knew we wanted to press this team, that's our identity and we want to come in and force teams to turn the ball over and I think our team was locked in. They know and understand who we are and were able to execute that today."
On Gabi Legister and Stacie Jones…
"We had to offset Gracie Merkle; she is an imposing force. I was really happy to see Gabi step up, that's the Gabi Legister that we know. She was able to make some tough plays down the stretch and make it uncomfortable for Merkle. Stacie Jones also was able to come in and really create some mismatches inside with her play today as well."
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Owls started 3-of-3 from the floor to build an early 7-4 lead against the Knights at Freedom Hall.
Bellarmine went on a 6-1 run to go up 10-8, with 2:29 left in the first quarter.
Whilby connected on a three-pointer at the top of the key off a Carly Hooks assist to cap off a 7-2 run for Kennesaw State at the end of the first.
KSU began the second quarter just like it did in the first, going 3-for-3 from the field and scoring nine of the first 11 points to extend the lead to 12, 24-12, with 6:13 to go in the half.
Over the final three minutes, the Knights finished the half on an 8-2 run to cut the Kennesaw State lead to seven, 31-24 at the break.
KSU's press defense was integral in the first half, forcing 12 Bellarmine turnovers and outscoring the Knights 12-0 in points off turnovers in the opening 20 minutes.
Bellarmine went on a 12-5 run over the first 5:34 of the third quarter to tie the game at 36-36.
The Owls closed out the third on an 11-4 run, behind six points from Legister and three from Johnson to go back in front, 47-40.
The Knights scored the first five points of the fourth to get right back into the game to make it 47-45 with 7:18 left in the game.
KSU responded with a pair of threes from Johnson and Hooks on back-to-back possessions to stretch the lead back eight, 53-45 less than a minute later.
Hooks, Jones and Whitfield each scored three points down the stretch as the Owls held on for the 64-56 victory.
UP NEXT
KSU continues its road trip against Lipscomb Thursday 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.
