KENNESAW, Ga. – Carly Hooks took over the game late for Kennesaw State women's basketball, scoring 16 of her 21 points in the fourth quarter to take down Louisiana Tech, 79-72, on Thursday night in the KSU Convocation Center.
Both teams fought hard to take control of the lead, as there were 10 total lead changes throughout the game, but the Owls (9-14, 4-8 CUSA) continued to find ways to answer back against the Techsters' (13-10, 6-6 CUSA) comeback attempts.
Major contributors to the Owls' victory also included
Keiara Griffin and
Taylor Cullinan.
Griffin was the consistent scorer for the Owls on Thursday night, continually scoring in the paint against the Techsters. Cullinan tied her season high in points and made three-pointers, and they came in clutch moments for the Owls, quelling each of the LA Tech's scoring runs.
First Half:
Keiara Griffin would start the scoring for the Owls with a layup under the basket after rebounding her previous shot attempt.
Prencis Harden and the Owls would continue to attack the Louisiana Tech interior defense, scoring eight points before the first media timeout. The Owl defense was also on the attack early, only allowing a shooting percentage of 28.7%. Harden continued to dominate the board by grabbing three rebounds midway through the first quarter.
Both teams were playing physical defense, but the Owls found themselves in foul trouble, allowing the Techsters to go to the free throw line three times in the first quarter.
Lee Lee Willis would answer back with a three-pointer of her own and helped the Owls go into the second quarter with an 18-12 lead.
Griffin would get things going for the Owls in the second quarter by continuing to score inside the paint. The Owls dealt with self-inflicted turnovers and foul trouble throughout the second quarter but maintained the lead, thanks to their defense. The 20-19 Owl lead was tight with 4:55 left in the second, and the Techsters held a free throw scoring advantage of 11 points compared to the Owls' one free throw point. The Owls would go on a scoring run, thanks to three-pointers from
Taylor Cullinan and
Claire Davis.
Keyarah Berry would score the final points in the second quarter with a three-point play, but Davis would intensely end the half with a big block, sending the Owls into the half with a 35-31 lead over the Techsters.
Second Half:
Griffin, for the third time this game, would score the first points of the quarter for the Owls and would not stop after scoring another layup a few minutes later in the paint and led the Owls in points with 11. The Techsters were highly efficient with their free throws, going 14-16, which kept them in this game as the Owls were playing good defense, only allowing 38% shooting against the Techsters. The Owls were able to respond to every LA Tech comeback attempt and kept a 39-38 lead with six minutes left in the third quarter.
Griffin would not be denied inside the paint offensively and continued to battle to keep the lead for the Owls.
Carly Hooks hit a big three for the Owls with two minutes left in the third, but the Techsters battled back and took their first lead of the game going into the fourth quarter, leading 51-49 over the Owls.
Morgan Dillard would sneak past two LA Tech defenders and score a layup and the first fourth-quarter points for the Owls. Harden found her stride in the fourth, scoring a jump shot and then grabbing a rebound on the defensive side to help set up another scoring layup for Dillard. The Owls would take back a 55-53 lead with eight minutes left in the final quarter.
The Owls fell back into foul trouble, as they had five fouls four minutes into the final quarter, allowing the Techsters to score four more points from free throws and grab a 59-56 LA Tech lead. Hooks would secure a three-point play to tie it back up, and the Owls would steal another possession after the Techsters threw the inbound pass out of bounds. Cullinan would score another clutch three for the Owls on the stolen possession, and both teams continued to battle for the lead.
Hooks got hot late in the fourth, scoring 16 points in the fourth, including a perfect 7-for-7 at the free-throw line. Both teams battled inside the paint, and the Owls held a 72-69 lead with 57 seconds left in the fourth. Hooks would strike again with an And-1 play and secured her new season high in points, scoring 21 points against the Techsters. The Owls earned their fourth Conference USA victory of the season and a hard-fought 79-72 victory.
Game Notes:
- Carly Hooks scored her new season high in points (21).
- Taylor Cullinan tied her season high in points (9).
- The Owls more than doubled LA Tech in bench points 29-13.
- The Owls doubled LA Tech in assists 18-9.
- The Owls held onto the lead for 31:08 in this game.
Up Next:
The Owls remain inside the KSU Convocation Center on Saturday, Feb. 15 against Sam Houston at 2 p.m. Fans can purchase tickets
HERE!
Multimedia:
Coach Blue Postgame Press Conference
Student-Athletes Postgame Press Conference (Carly Hooks, Keiara Griffin)
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