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KENNESAW, Ga. —
Trynce Taylor led Kennesaw State women's basketball with 15 points but the Owls were unable to overcome cold shooting and turnover trouble in a 60-47 defeat to Middle Tennessee on Friday night at Vystar Arena.
First Half
KSU found itself in a 17-8 hole at first quarter's close after the Blue Raiders opened shooting 7-of-15 from the field and 3-of-6 from 3-point range. MTSU jumped out to a 13-2 lead midway through the quarter when
Keyarah Berry sparked the Owls with a block on defense and dish to
Trynce Taylor on the other end. Taylor scored the quarter's final points for KSU with a bucket in the paint and elbow jumper.
MTSU lead 21-9 early in the second quarter before the Owls responded with a 7-0 run. Taylor scored five consecutive points for KSU with a free throw, paint score and 3-pointer.
Latazia Williamson added a mid-range jumper to bring the Owls within five at 21-16.
While KSU held MTSU to a 3:47 scoring drought midway through the quarter, the visitors rebuilt a double-digit lead at 28-17 before Kailyn Flowers drained a triple at half's end. The Blue Raiders' 28-20 halftime lead came as they shot 10-of-29 from the field to KSU's 8-of-20. Fifteen Owl turnovers resulted in 14 points in the first half while KSU scored two points on six MTSU giveaways.
Second Half
The Owls came out of the locker room and used a 9-4 run to draw within a point at 32-31. Berry and Taylor knocked down the half's first two shots for KSU while Williamson nailed shots on consecutive possessions as well. Flowers then drilled another corner triple to pull the Owls within one.
MTSU ended the quarter on a 7-1 run before KSU closed within a possession at 39-36 on a Williamson jumper.
Despite a series of forced turnovers by the Owls, the Blue Raiders mounted an 11-2 run with consecutive 3-pointers midway through the fourth quarter and maintained their lead to the finish.
Game Notes
- In a 13-point game, MTSU scored 21 points off 20 KSU turnovers. The Blue Raiders' 16 turnovers resulted in 11 points for the Owls.
- Free throw shooting also tilted the game in MTSU's favor. The Blue Raiders went 13-of-15 from the charity stripe to KSU's 4-of-9.
- MTSU narrowly outshot the Owls 40-39% from the field. Neither team got hot from beyond the arc with KSU going 3-of-9 to the Blue Raiders' 5-of-22.
- The Owls were outscored in the paint for just the second time this season, 26-24.
- KSU entered the night second in Conference USA in blocks per game at 3.7 and continued that trend with six blocks to MTSU's one.
Head Coach Octavia Blue Postgame:
On game one in Conference USA play
"Middle Tennessee is a very good team with a championship culture. They came right in and got a lead on us. We had to fight back into the game. The intensity was certainly heightened today as we began Conference USA play."
On how the team can remedy its turnover trouble
"We need to be more patient running our sets and secure the ball. We need to not be anxious and wait for players to get open so we can execute the offense."
On Trynce Taylor's team-leading 15 point-performance
"She had her mid-range jumper going tonight. Her teammates set good screens and she knocked down shots. I was really happy with her production today."
On how the team will prepare for Sunday's matchup with WKU
"It's a quick turnaround so we can't dwell too much on what happened tonight. We have to have better defensive intensity and be ready to go on Sunday."
Next Time Out
The Owls conclude their three-game home stand with a Sunday matinee versus Western Kentucky on Jan. 4 at 2 p.m. at Vystar Arena. Watch KSU face the Lady Toppers on
ESPN+.
Join Owl Nation in celebrating Girl Dads on Sunday. The first 400 fans through the door will score an exclusive KSU stein.
Click here for buy-one-get-one tickets.
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.
