By: Joseph Hovey
Life U (9-5, 3-1 SSAC) at Kennesaw State (6-4, 0-0 CUSA)
Kennesaw, GA | VyStar Arena | Monday, Dec. 29 | 7 p.m.
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KENNESAW, Ga. — Following consecutive road games, Kennesaw State women's basketball returns to VyStar Arena to conclude non-conference play versus Life on Dec. 29 at 7 p.m.
NON-CONFERENCE SUCCESS
Despite an 85-55 loss at Miami on Dec. 21, at 6-4 the Owls have achieved the best 10-game start of head coach
Octavia Blue's tenure (2021-) and best for the program since going 8-2 to open the 2014-15 season. With a win over Life, KSU would move to 7-4 and secure not only the best record in non-conference play of the Blue era, but the best since going 11-4 prior to league play in 2014-15.
OWL OFFENSE
KSU approaches Conference USA play leading the league in field goal percentage (43.8) and ranking second in three-point percentage (33.3). Guards
Keyarah Berry and
Shania Nichols, along with forward
Trynce Taylor lead the Owl attack in scoring, three-point shooting and rebounding, respectively.
Berry's team-leading 15.3 points per game and shooting clip of 47.3% from the field both rank fourth in CUSA. With 12 points scored against the Hurricanes on Dec. 21, Berry notched her ninth double-figure performance in 10 outings this season and 38
th for her KSU career.
Nichols has cemented herself as the Owls' sharpshooter with 18 shots drained from three-point range on 36 attempts. Her 50% three-point shooting ranks seventh nationally. Taylor complements her team-leading 7.2 rebounds per game with 9.2 points per game.
DEFENDING THE NEST
The Owl defense owns five top 5 CUSA statistical rankings including leading the league in opponent rebounds per game (31.2), second in blocks per game (3.5), third in scoring defense (59.9), along with fourth in rebound margin (4.7) and steals per game (9.9).
Berry and freshman forward
TaTianna Stovall have proven key pieces to KSU's defense. With 2.5 steals per game and 25 total, Berry ranks top 10 in the CUSA in both categories. The opportunistic Owl guard has recorded seven games on the season with three or more steals.
Just 10 games into her collegiate career, Stovall is averaging 5.5 points, 5.1 boards and 1.3 blocks per game. The Cleveland, Tennessee native's 1.3 blocks per game rank fourth in the CUSA while her six rejections at Georgia State on Dec. 14 continue as a league single-game high in 2025-26.
TRENDS TO KNOW
Ten games into the season, paint scoring and second-chance point production have clearly become keys to success for KSU. The Owls have outscored opponents in the paint in nine games and own a combined paint scoring differential of +98. Eight of 10 games have seen KSU outscore opponents by a combined 25 second-chance points.
Points off turnovers have made the difference in KSU's stumbles this season. The Owls are minus or even in points off turnovers in six of 10 games with a 3-3 record in those contests. KSU is outscoring opponents in the second, third and fourth quarters with a high of +28 points in the second. While just outscored by a combined 156-150 in first quarters, three of four Owl losses have followed losing the opening period.
MILESTONES IN SIGHT
As Berry approaches her 100
th game in a KSU uniform on Jan. 4, the veteran guard is also closing in on a handful of milestones in Owl program history. With five free throws made, Berry can surpass Jasmine McAllister for eighth at KSU in D1 era (2005-) career free throw makes. Berry is also just 57 points from overtaking
Carly Hooks for 10
th on the KSU D1-era scoring list.
SERIES HISTORY
This season's meeting marks the fifth all-time between KSU and Life with the Owls leading 4-0. The Running Eagles last visited VyStar Arena to tip off the 2024-25 season. KSU won that matchup 72-53 on Nov. 4, 2024.
KNOW THE FOE
Life enters its Dec. 29 exhibition matchup with KSU at 9-5 and 3-1 in the Southern States Athletic Conference (NAIA). The Running Eagles are coming off a 96-44 win versus Spartanburg Methodist College on Dec. 16 and share a common opponent with KSU in Thomas (GA). Life fell 72-60 against the Night Hawks on Dec. 4, just days before the Owls beat Thomas 81-37.
Life has played one other game versus a Division I opponent this season; a 76-42 exhibition loss to Middle Tennessee on Oct. 28. The Running Eagles are led by fourth-year head coach Ashawnte Hawkins and double-figure scorers in guard Aniyah Offutt and forward Kenya Robinson.
PURCHASE TICKETS
Season and single-game tickets are available for the 2025-26 Kennesaw State women's basketball campaign. Click
here to secure your seat inside VyStar Arena and don't miss a second of the action!
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.
