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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Kennesaw State women's basketball fell to Alabama, 79-65, at the Coleman Coliseum. After trailing by 20 points on the road, the Owls battled back to make it a seven-point game in the fourth quarter but couldn't break through in the end.
Keyarah Berry led the Owls with 19 points, eight rebounds and three steals.
Shania Nichols was right behind her, scoring 18 points of her own and adding four assists.
The Crimson Tide committed a season high 18 turnovers compared to KSU's 15.
First Half
Both teams were out running to start the game. The pace favored the Crimson Tide, who led 14-2 in the first four minutes. The Owls eventually found their offensive footing, but Alabama maintained its scoring, leading by 16 after the first quarter.
After the Crimson Tide took a 20-point lead, the Black and Gold's defense flipped a switch. They forced eight turnovers in the second quarter alone as they started their comeback. Berry scored six points in the quarter.
Second Half
The offenses stalled to open the second half. Alabama's leading scorer Essence Cody picked up her fourth foul early in the third, resulting in her going to the bench for an entire quarter.
That quick foul sparked an Owls run, who brought it within seven points in a minute and a half of game time.
The fouls swung in Alabama's favor as it was in the bonus for the final five minutes of the quarter. KSU was down nine heading into the final frame.
In the fourth quarter, Alabama pulled away. When the Owls cut the deficit back to seven, the Crimson Tide ended the game on a 19-12 advantage.
Game Notes
Alabama committed a season high 18 turnovers. The Owls won the turnover battle for the fifth time this season.
Shania Nichols dished out a season high four assists. She had three on the season entering today's contest. The four assists are one off her career high at IU Indianapolis when she had five against Milwaukee on Jan. 29, 2025.
Essence Cody was Alabama's leading scorer at 15.6 points per game. The junior was held to eight points, her lowest mark since February 2025.
Head Coach Octavia Blue Postgame:
"I'm really proud of the effort the ladies showed today. Obviously, we got down 16 points in the first quarter, but we bounced back, we kept fighting the entire time. No moral victories, but that is a great team in the SEC."
"We're a blue-collared program. We hang our hat on our defense. I thought we were a little bit flat in the first quarter. We can't worry about offense; what we got to do is dictate our defense and we were able to do that."
"Shania is continuing to develop and she's getting more confident with each game that she plays. Moving into the starting lineup with
Kailyn Fields out, she's really starting to shoot the ball, picking her spots, and her teammates are doing a great job finding her."
Next Time Out
The Black and Gold will return home to host Thomas (Ga.) on Saturday. The game is scheduled for noon and will be streamed on ESPN+.
The Owls Fund
The Owls Fund is the primary fundraising arm of Kennesaw State Athletics with the goal of supporting our student-athletes, coaches and each of our 18 NCAA Division I programs. Through initiatives such as Legacy Lockers, the Dot Martin Scholarship Golf Classic, sport-specific giving opportunities, general donations and season tickets, The Owls Fund connects fans with KSU's programs and student-athletes. Members receive exclusive benefits such as hospitality seating areas and events at Kennesaw State home games, and more. Join The Owls Fund here and discover more opportunities on how you can support Kennesaw State Athletics.
