By: Nolan Alexander
ATLANTA, Ga. - Kennesaw State's
Keyarah Berry scored a career-best 16 points and KSU held Georgia State to a season-low in points, but the Owls fell, 62-52, Tuesday evening in the GSU Convocation Center.
The Owls (1-2) and Panthers (3-0) traded runs throughout the contest with a relatively similar box score, but the difference at the free-throw line proved too costly for KSU. The hosts were 10-14, while the Owls were only 7-17.
Berry's biggest surge came in the third quarter, where she scored 11 of KSU's 15 points. She was perfect in three attempts and connected on a pair of treys. She also contributed a pair of rebounds and an assist in 10 minutes. Berry has hit double-figures in all three games this season.
"KB had a slow start then came back in to hit a couple of three pointers to ignite us," said head coach
Octavia Blue. "She got out in transition and was able to draw fouls on her attacks to the rim. What I liked the most was that we were able to get into the bonus. I was hoping we could continue to draw fouls so we could score with the clock stopped. However, it was an issue for us not being able to connect on our free throws."
Lee Lee Willis dished out a team-best four assists and had five rebounds.
Kyndall Golden led the Owls in rebounds for the second-consecutive game with seven, while
Carly Hooks totaled a season-best 11 points.
The first quarter saw success for each side as the Panthers took a 14-13 edge into the second stanza. KSU was 6-20 from the floor with Hooks and
Prencis Harden each registering four points.
The Owls shot 50% in the second quarter, but GSU was hotter going 57% to take a seven-point halftime-lead.
After Berry's impressive third quarter where the Owls outscored the Panthers, 15-13, KSU held GSU to no field goals in the final 3:43 of the fourth quarter, but GSU held on to remain undefeated on the young season.
"Defending was one of the things we focused on all week long. We had to defend better and keep people in front of us. Anytime you hold a team to 62 points that is a pretty good number," said Blue. "Unfortunately, we weren't able to score 63, but I was pleased with our defensive effort. We just have to be able to score better."
Another game in Atlanta awaits the Owls as they play at Georgia Tech Sunday. Tip-off with the Yellow Jackets is set for 2:00 p.m. and will be aired on ACC Network Extra.
"We know what we can be. We have to work on being consistent in the moments that we were pretty good tonight. Once we gain that consistency and our players gain more game experience with many in new roles, we will get our feet under us and play better down the stretch," Blue added.
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