MIAMI —
Keyarah Berry scored a career-high 27 points but Kennesaw State women's basketball fell to FIU 76-65 on Saturday afternoon at Ocean Bank Convocation Center.
First Half
Both teams traded buckets early with
Latazia Williamson and
Keyarah Berry opening the scoring for the Owls. Berry added her second field goal of the game to give KSU a half-high four-point lead at 8-4 four minutes in. FIU responded with an 8-0 run on its way to closing the quarter with a 19-17 lead.
The Panthers continued to control momentum and opened the second quarter on a 13-3 run. KSU's 7-of-14 from the field in the first cooled to 1-of-8 in the second period. The Owls faced a 33-23 deficit at the half with FIU shooting 44% from the field to KSU's 36. Berry led KSU with nine points in the first 20 minutes of action.
Second Half
The Owls trailed by a game-high 13-point deficit, 36-23, in the early moments of the third quarter prior to four quick points from Berry. Then down 11, KSU fought back to a one-possession game with a 9-0 run. Berry,
TaTianna Stovall and
Trynce Taylor each contributed scores in the paint to bring KSU back to a 38-36 game.
A pair of successful free throw trips from Williamson and
Kailyn Fields along with four points from Berry in the quarter's last two minutes, took the Owls into the fourth down 52-51.
A KSU steal turned into a Stovall score at the rim to hand the Owls an early 53-52 lead in the final period. Berry split defenders and scored through contact to extend the lead to 55-52 moments later.
Each of KSU's last three field goals came from Berry as she kept it a one-possession game into the final three minutes of play. Owl foul trouble and FIU free throws pushed the Panthers back in front to the 76-65 finish.
Game Notes
- Berry's career-high 27 points came on a career-best 11 made field goals with 15 attempts to go along with five rebounds and three assists in 35 minutes of play.
- Now with 904 points and 336 field goals on her career, Berry ranks ninth at KSU in Division I-era (2005-pres.) career scoring and field goals made.
- Berry's previous career-high of 25 points came Nov. 8 versus another south Florida team in FAU.
- TaTianna Stovall earned her third career start on Saturday and contributed eight points, six rebounds and five blocks. One off a career-high in blocks, Stovall is the only CUSA player this season to record multiple games of five or more rejections.
- Shania Nichols and Kailyn Fields scored 13 and 11 points, respectively, while combining for an 11-of-12 showing from the free throw line.
- The Owls have dropped two games in a row for the first time this season and scored a season-low six second-quarter points.
- KSU shot 48% from the field to FIU's 45 but second-chance points and points off turnovers gave the Panthers a decisive advantage. FIU benefited from 10 second-chance points to the Owls' five and 29 points on 29 KSU turnovers. The Owls turned the Panthers over 27 times and scored 21 resultant points.
Head Coach Octavia Blue Postgame:
"It was a hard-fought effort for us to close the deficit and take the lead. Again, another turnover-filled game. We have to be able to take care of the ball. We had so many unforced turnovers. That's what FIU does. They force their opponents to 20-plus turnovers a game. We need to make sure we take care of the ball if we want to have an opportunity to win. That's one of our keys to success. The inability to sustain that lead at the end of the game was the difference-maker."
On Keyarah Berry's career-high 27-point performance
"A monster game by
Keyarah Berry. She put the team on her back at moments and they kept feeding her."
Next Time Out
KSU returns home to face Jax State on Jan. 17 at 2 p.m. Tune in to the Saturday match up between the Owls and Gamecocks 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.
