RUSTON, La. — Kennesaw State women's basketball lost to Louisiana Tech, the Conference USA's top team, in a 72-44 decision on Thursday night at the Thomas Assembly Center.
First Half
KSU took an early 5-2 lead with an old-fashioned 3-point play from
Latazia Williamson and stingy defense. The Owls kept LA Tech off the board for three minutes with three forced turnovers in the early first.
The Lady Techsters came to life with a 10-0 run before KSU answered with a putback score from
TaTianna Stovall and a
Keyarah Berry driving lay-in. Despite six offensive rebounds, the Owls shot 29% from the field in the first quarter to LA Tech's 50%.
Another 10-0 Lady Techster run, eight turnovers and two scoring droughts of over three minutes hampered KSU in the second quarter. The Owls faced a 39-16 halftime deficit after being outshot 50-27% in the first 20 minutes of play.
Second Half
Williamson, Stovall and
Trynce Taylor contributed to KSU's third-quarter scoring, but its comeback attempt was left wanting with 1-of-9 shooting from the field. While the Owls held LA Tech to 6-of-16 from the field in the third, seven turnovers leading to 10 Tech points kept the home team in front, 57-23.
KSU outscored LA Tech in the fourth, 21-15, but was unable to climb back from a double-digit deficit. Stovall stepped up with 11 of her team-high 15 points coming in the fourth quarter. The freshman forward went 3-for-3 from the field and 5-for-7 from the free throw line in the closing period.
Game Notes
- LA Tech shot 44% from the field to the Owls' 33, including 6-of-15 from beyond the arc to KSU's 1-of-11.
- The Owls were outrebounded 40-24, including 18-9 on the offensive glass.
- Twenty-seven KSU turnovers resulted in 32 Lady Techster points.
- TaTianna Stovall recorded her second-highest scoring game of the season with 15 points on 5-for-5 from the field and 5-for-7 at the free throw line.
- Berry added 10 points for her 45th-career double-figure scoring game at KSU.
Head Coach Octavia Blue Postgame:
"We had a slow start. Early on, we missed a few bunnies around the basket, and we were turning the ball over. We just lost confidence. We didn't play our best defensive game. There was a lack of communication. Ultimately, you can't show up on the road like that against a great team like Louisiana Tech."
Next Time Out
KSU continues its road trip Saturday at Sam Houston. Tune in to the Owls' matchup with the Bearkats on Jan. 31 at 3 p.m. EST 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.
