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CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Kennesaw State women's basketball fought back through foul trouble but was unable to answer a 13-1 Miami third-quarter run as it fell 85-55 on Sunday afternoon at the Watsco Center.
Down 39-22 at half, the Owls cut the Miami lead to 42-30 early in the third quarter before the Hurricanes retook the momentum for good with a 12-for-12 performance from the free throw line over the final seven minutes of the period.
First Half
Miami took an early 15-2 lead before KSU responded with dialed up defensive pressure and a 7-0 run of its own.
Latazia Williamson scored the Owls' first two buckets of the game and
TaTianna Stovall sparked the team with a putback score through contact for a 3-point play.
Trynce Taylor added a pair of scores but Miami struck again with a 6-2 close to the quarter.
Down 21-11 to open the second, the Owls knocked down their first two shots of the period with a
Shania Nichols triple and
Mame Kane score at the rim.
The Hurricanes then took advantage of four KSU turnovers over a seven-minute stretch as they broke out to a 37-18 lead.
Gabriela Bendeck-Giron hit a pair of free throws and turned a steal into a
Keyarah Berry transition basket in the waning moments of the half.
The Owls went to the break down 39-22 after shooting 30% from the field to Miami's 44.
Second Half
KSU opened the second half trimming the Hurricane lead to 42-30 with an 8-3 run courtesy scores from Berry and Stovall. Berry scored on consecutive possessions with a lay-in and two free throw makes. Following a Stovall score in the paint, Bendeck-Giron again plucked the ball away from Miami and found Berry for a score at the rim.
The Owls drew no closer than 12 as the Hurricanes pulled away to win the period 22-11 with a 13-for-13 showing from the free throw line.
KSU entered the fourth quarter down 61-33 and continued to fight with seven made field goals on its last 16 attempts, including eight points from Williamson in seven minutes of fourth-quarter play.
Game Notes
- Miami out shot KSU 48 to 33% from the field but the game's most critical numbers came beyond the arc and at the free throw line. The Hurricanes turned 38 attempts at the free throw line into 30 points while the Owls' 16 attempts resulted in 13 points. Seven made 3-pointers on 18 attempts further helped the Miami cause while KSU went 2-for-11 from three.
- KSU forced 18 Hurricane turnovers but allowed 20 takeaways.
- Foul trouble hampered the Owls as five players ended the day with four or more personals.
- Berry and Williamson led KSU with 12-points a piece. Berry has now scored in double figures in nine of 10 games on the season.
- Bendeck-Giron provided the Owls with energy off the bench good for five points and four assists. Bendeck-Giron now has four or more assists in back-to-back games.
Next Time Out
KSU returns home to face the Life Running Eagles in their final non-conference game on Dec. 29 at 7 p.m. at Vystar Arena. Watch the Owls and Running Eagles live on
ESPN+.
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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.
