KENNESAW, Ga. - Kennesaw State (7-9, 3-0 Atlantic Sun Conference) delivered a thrilling 59-57 win over Jacksonville (5-12, 1-3 ASUN) Saturday inside the KSU Convocation Center to earn the best start to the ASUN schedule in program history.
The win marked the Owls' seventh regular season conference victory in its last nine games and tied the longest win regular season ASUN win streak in program history at five games.
Saturday was the fourth time in Kennesaw State history that the Owls won back-to-back conference games against Atlantic Sun teams from the state of Florida and first time since 2012-13. All three previous instances were also against North Florida and Jacksonville.
Laura Toffali had another career day on the court with nine points, all on shots from beyond the arc in momentum-changing situations for Kennesaw State.
Prencis Harden almost posted her fifth double-double of the season in just 21 minutes of action with 10 points and eight rebounds, both stats led the team Saturday. It was Harden's 11th game in double figures this season and ninth-straight.
Fellow captain
Carly Hooks shined for the Owls as well with nine points, five assists and three steals in 26 minutes of action. Freshman
Trynce Taylor posted six points and seven rebounds against the Dolphins with two steals and one block.
Junior
Morgan Dillard opened the scoring in the Owls' 16th game of the season, giving KSU a quick 2-0 lead.
Kyndall Golden collected her 31st block of the season, moving into tied-for-sixth in the KSU Division I single-season blocks list. The Owls drove down the court following the block that Golden then converted into two points to put KSU up, 8-6.
The two squads went back-and-forth for the first five minutes of the contest with KSU holding a 12-10 lead at the first media timeout.
A few quick strikes from the Owls including four points from
Kayla Massop put the Black and Gold up 23-14 at the end of the first. JU entered Saturday allowing 18.1 points in the first quarter this season.
Kennesaw State shot 75% in the opening 10 minutes and went 5-for-6 from the free-throw line.
Hooks drained a three-pointer 1:14 into the second, attributing to five-consecutive points for the Owls to open the period.
Toffali followed Hooks with a three later in the quarter, pushing the lead to 35-20.
KSU outscored the Dolphins 13-12 in the second, taking a 36-26 lead into the half. 36 points is the third-most the Owls have scored in a half this season.
The Owl offense shot 50% from the floor in the first 20 minutes. Jacksonville led for only 17 seconds in the first half.
JU started the third with a run of their own to get within four before Toffali added another three to put KSU up by seven, 43-36.
The Dolphins retook the lead but were sent back into a deficit by Harden, 47-46.
Toffali drained another three with 5:49 left to give the Owls a 53-48 advantage. JU fought back to even the score with 2:41 left at 55 apiece.
A layup from Taylor put KSU up 57-55 but the Dolphins drained two game-equalizing free throws.
Hooks was fouled with under a minute remaining and made both free throws to put the Owls in front again, 59-57. The Black and Gold defense held strong for the final 52 seconds, not allowing Jacksonville a game-evening or go-ahead basket to give Kennesaw State its first 3-0 start to ASUN play in program history.
Kennesaw State's next contest is on the road in DeLand, Fla. for a 7:00 p.m. tip-off against the Stetson Hatters on Thursday, Jan. 18. KSU returns to the Convocation Center on Saturday, Jan. 27 for Pink Day against Central Arkansas at 2:00 p.m. Fans can purchase tickets
here.
