By: Zac Pike
Kennesaw State (12-14), (8-7)
vs. No. 24 FGCU (26-3), (14-1)
Location: Kennesaw, Ga. | KSU Convocation Center
Date: Feb. 23
Time: 7:00 p.m. EST
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Tickets
KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State women's basketball hosts No. 24 FGCU Thursday at 7 p.m. for a Black Out at the KSU Convocation Center. All fans are encouraged to wear black, and the first 500 fans will receive a free black KSU t-shirt. The Atlanta Braves Heavy Hitters drumline will also be in attendance and will be doing a halftime show.
The Owls enter the matchup with a 3-1 record in their past four games and are currently in sole possession of sixth place in the ASUN Conference standings with three games left in the regular season. Kennesaw State also boasts a 7-3 record at home this season and has won two straight games.
With a win on Thursday, KSU will have the most wins in conference action since the 2008-09 team won 11 games.
KSU and the first-place Eagles have met on the court 33 times, with the Owls last winning in the series back in 2011.
Putting the ASUN on Notice
The Owls have won eight games in ASUN conference play for the first time since the 2016-17 squad finished 8-6 and enter the matchup against No. 25 FGCU on a two-game winning streak at home at the KSU Convocation Center. KSU now has posted two separate three-game winning streaks in conference action for the first time since the 2007-08 season. The Owls currently sit in sixth place in the ASUN Standings and have clinched a spot in the ASUN Postseason Championship.
Owls Break Streak at Jacksonville
KSU allowed a season-low 47 points and just 15 second-half points in a 54-47 win at Jacksonville last Thursday. The win was Kennesaw's first win in Jacksonville in 11 years and was the first victory in the series since 2019.
Jah'Che Whitfield and
Carly Hooks combined for 28 points as the Owls took down the Dolphins.
Amazing Amani Johnson
The guard has rewritten the record books during her time at Kennesaw State and is the KSU DI all-time leader in scoring (1,612), assists (610), field goals made (592), field goals attempted (1,587), minutes played (5,020) and steals (247). Johnson leads the ASUN in minutes played (37.8) and is in the top four of the conference in assist/turnover ratio (1.9), assists (125) and assists per game (4.8). Johnson scored a season-best 27 points (20 in the second half) in a 77-73 win over Bellarmine.
Blue's Squad Surpasses Last Season's Win Totals
KSU already surpassed last year's win totals by three games with three contests still remaining on the conference slate, with all three of those coming at home for the final three tilts of the regular season. Kennesaw State has been particularly strong at the Convocation Center this season, posting a 7-3 mark and needs just one more win to secure the most home wins since the 2015-16 season.
Hardly a Sweat
Prencis Harden has been on a roll over the past seven games. The Swainsboro, Ga. native has averaged 9.3 points and 8.3 rebounds per game since Central Arkansas. Harden has played some of the best basketball of her career, setting career-highs in points (16 at Queens), rebounds (10 at Liberty and vs. EKU) and her first career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds against EKU.
40 is the Magic Number
Shooting over 40 percent from the field and holding opponents under 40 percent shooting has been a key number this season for the Owls. Kennesaw State is 10-3 this season when shooting at a 40-percent clip and is 10-4 when holding its opponent below the number.
A Model of Consistency
Jah'Che Whitfield has been one of the ASUN's most prolific scorers and has averaged 16.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.2 steals in her last six games and has scored in double-figures in 17 of her past 20 games. The graduate senior leads the Owls in scoring (14.0), rebounding (5.8), defensive rebounds (120), made field goals (131), field goals attempted (318), free throws made (81), steals (41) and free throws attempted (117). The graduate senior ranks 7th in the ASUN in points per game (14.0) and 14th in rebounds (5.6).
Block Party
Standing 5'8,
Carly Hooks has been a catalyst on defense all season disrupting opposing offenses in a variety of ways. The guard leads the team with 16 blocks on the season and is third on the squad with 34 steals. In addition to her stellar defense, the Atlanta native has scored 13 or more points in six of her last 10 games, including a career-high 21 points in a 71-52 win at Lipscomb and 20 points at UNF on Saturday.
Attacking the Paint
Kennesaw State's downhill offensive attack has created plenty of opportunities at the charity stripe as the Owls lead the ASUN and are ranked 50th overall in the NCAA in free throw attempts, averaging 20.12.
Crashing the Glass
KSU's offensive rebounding has been a staple all season. The Owls lead the ASUN and are 64th in the nation in offensive rebounds per game, with 13.4. Kennesaw State has at least 11 offensive rebounds in 19 of 26 games this season.
Scouting FGCU
No. 24 FGCU has won 22 of its past 24 games and is in first place in the ASUN (14-1) with a one-game lead over Liberty. The Eagles now have won 25 or more games in 13 straight seasons and have won 20 or more games in 19 consecutive seasons. The Eagles have the highest-scoring offenses in the ASUN, 78.3 points per game and are 17
th nationally in the category. FGCU is led by the trifecta of Tishara Morehouse, Sha Carter and Alyza Winston. Morehouse averages 16.3 points, 4.4 assists and 3.4 rebounds, Carter averages 13.2 points and 5.7 rebounds. Winston chips in 13.2 points and 2.5 boards. Emma List is tied with Morehouse, averaging a team-best 4.4 assists per contest.
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.
