By: Zac Pike
Kennesaw State (12-15), (8-8)
vs. Stetson (12-17), (6-10)
Location: Kennesaw, Ga. | KSU Convocation Center
Date: Feb. 25
Time: 2:00 p.m. EST
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KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State women's basketball welcomes Stetson for Senior Day Saturday at 2 p.m. at the KSU Convocation Center.
Gabi Legister,
Gillian Piccolino,
Lyndsey Whilby,
Jah'Che Whitfield and
Amani Johnson will all be recognized at Senior Day in a pregame ceremony 30 minutes before tip Saturday against Stetson. Legister, Piccolino and Johnson have played four years together at KSU and all grew up in Pennsylvania before choosing Kennesaw State. Whilby transferred from Purdue this offseason and leads the Owls in three-pointers with 39. Whitfield leads the team in scoring and rebounds, averaging 14.0 points per game and 5.7 rebounds per game.
With a win on Saturday, KSU will have the most wins in ASUN Conference play since the 2008-09 team won 11 games and the most wins at the KSU Convocation Center since 2015-16.
KSU and Stetson have met 39 times, with the Hatters holding a 32-7 advantage in the series. However, the Owls have won three of the last seven contests between the two schools. In the last meeting, Stetson held off a Kennesaw State comeback 75-64 last season. Johnson registered 25 points, four rebounds and two steals and
Gillian Piccolino scored 10 points and grabbed four rebounds.
Most Wins in the ASUN in Six Years
The Owls have won eight games in ASUN conference play for the first time since the 2016-17 squad finished 8-6. 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 a tie for sixth place with Jacksonville State and North Alabama in the ASUN Standings and have clinched a spot in the ASUN Postseason Championship.
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 (1,621), assists (615), field goals made (596), field goals attempted (1,600), minutes played (5,054) and steals (248). Johnson leads the ASUN in minutes played (36.8) and is in the top four of the conference in assist/turnover ratio (1.9), assists (130) 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.
A Model of Consistency
Jah'Che Whitfield has been one of the ASUN's most prolific scorers and has averaged 16.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.4 steals in her last seven games and leads the Owls in scoring (14.0), rebounding (5.7), defensive rebounds (123), made field goals (137), field goals attempted (327), free throws made (85), steals (41) and free throws attempted (117). The graduate senior ranks 7th in the ASUN in points per game (14.0), 14th in rebounds (5.6) and has scored over 1,400 points in her career at Winthrop and KSU. The guard has been one of KSU's most consistent and productive players this season and has scored in double-figures in 18 of her last 21 contests.
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.
Blue's Squad Surpasses Last Season's Win Totals
KSU already surpassed last year's win totals by three games with two contests still remaining on the conference slate, with both coming at home. Kennesaw State has been strong at home this season 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 eight games. The Swainsboro, Ga. native has averaged 8.4 points and 8.0 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 10-4 this season when shooting at a 40-percent clip and is 10-4 when holding its opponent below the number.
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 11 games, including a career-high 21 points in a 71-52 win at Lipscomb and 20 points at UNF last 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 51st overall in the NCAA in free throw attempts, averaging 19.93.
Crashing the Glass
KSU's offensive rebounding has been a staple all season. The Owls lead the ASUN and are 68th in the nation in offensive rebounds per game, with 13.1. Kennesaw State has at least 11 offensive rebounds in 19 of 27 games this season.
Scouting Stetson
Stetson features four players averaging double-figures in scoring this season. Jamiya Turner averages 11.1 points and 3.7 rebounds, Jaelyn Turner averages 10.9 points and 5.2 rebounds, Khamya McNeal scores 10.8 points and 3.9 boards and Alyssa Hargrove nets 10.6 points and 2.3 assists. Stetson is coming off a 69-62 loss at Jacksonville State and currently sits in ninth place in the ASUN with a 6-10 record. The Hatters are a different team away from home, going 3-8 this season on the road.
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.
