KENNESAW, Ga. - A 24-point fourth quarter led by graduate senior Carly Hooks saw Kennesaw State women's basketball rally to victory over Jacksonville State, 63-55, for Senior Day Saturday afternoon inside the KSU Convocation Center.

Down five entering the final frame, the Black and Gold (12-17, 7-11 Conference USA) outscored the Gamecocks (10-19, 4-14 CUSA) 24-11 through the last 10 minutes to improve to 8-6 at home.

Hooks, an Atlanta native, outscored every JSU player in the fourth quarter alone with 13, ending the day with 15 points on 42.9% shooting from the floor. She was joined by fellow senior Keyarah Berry who had 12 points of her own and six rebounds.

Graduate Keiara Griffin, facing her former squad Saturday, posted 12 points on an efficient 4-for-5 clip and 4-for-4 from the free throw line. 

Prencis Harden had nine points, seven rebounds and three assists in her final game inside the Convo.

Hooks, Berry, Griffin and Harden joined Taylor Cullinan and Morgan Dillard in pregame ceremonies honoring the 2024-25 KSU women's basketball senior class.

Kennesaw State wraps up the regular season with its seventh conference win in its first year as a member of Conference USA. 

FIRST HALF
Dillard collected the game's opening points, giving KSU a 2-0 lead out of the gate. Dillard and Berry had four points each as the Owls started off on an 8-2 run. Berry led the way with six points as JSU took a 16-13 lead after one.

JSU added more points to open the second before an and-one play from Harden cut the deficit to four, 23-18, with just over four minutes left. A Kailyn Fields trey then put the Owls within two, 23-21. She sank another moments later to put the Black and Gold up by one, 24-23, with two-and-a-half minutes left. 

Berry's 11 points led the team. Harden had an even five points and five rebounds in the first half and led the team with three assists. KSU shot 40.7% from the floor to Jax State's 32.1%.

SECOND HALF
A free throw from Berry got the scoring started in the third, putting KSU back up by three, 29-26. After that, the teams exchanged buckets with Harden putting KSU up 33-32 with seven on the clock. JSU then took a slim 36-33 advantage. Griffin led the Owls in scoring with four in the third period, but Jax State held a 44-39 lead going into the final stanza.

Down three in the early stages of the fourth, Hooks drained a trey to even the game at 44 with over eight minutes left. After a Jax State bucket, Hooks once again evened the game, now at 46 apiece, Jax State used a free throw to get to 47-46 before Griffin made a layup to put the Owls ahead, 48-47, now under six minutes on the clock. Hooks extended the lead to 50-47 moments later. Two free throws off a personal foul allowed Hooks to increase the score to 52-47 in favor of KSU.  That shot put the senior in double figures. More buckets from Hooks and Griffin then put the Owls up by six, 58-52. JSU got back within three before another Fields three-pointer widened the gap, 61-55.

The Kennesaw State defense held on strong to seal the 63-55 win.

POSTGAME QUOTES



UP NEXT
Kennesaw State begins its run in the 2025 Conference USA tournament Tuesday, March 11 at 3:00 p.m. ET as the No. 7 seed. KSU's opponent is to-be-determined later Saturday. Fans can purchase tickets here.

Stay updated with the action on the court for KSU women's basketball on X @KSUOwlsWBB, Instagram at @KSUOwlsWBB and on Facebook here.

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