By: Joseph Hovey
KENNESAW, Ga. — Kennesaw State women's basketball seeks to end its weekend road trip on a high note as it faces Sam Houston Saturday at 3 p.m. EST in Huntsville, Texas.
STANDINGS STATUS
The Owls' Jan. 29-31 road swing has pitted them against two of the top three teams in the Conference USA standings. Fresh off facing league leader Louisiana Tech, KSU now travels to third-place Sam Houston. The Bearkats are coming off a 70-51 win over Jax State on Thursday and are 12-6 (5-2) with their only two conference losses coming by a combined seven points. Following Thursday's loss at LA Tech, the Owls rank seventh in CUSA.
THE MATCHUP
Despite shooting 14-of-42 from the field in Ruston, KSU continues to rank second among CUSA teams, shooting 44% on the season. The Owl offense, averaging 65.2 points per game, faces a steep test against Sam Houston's league-leading average of 56 points allowed. Three-point shooting lends KSU a potential advantage over the Bearkats with its 33.5% from beyond the arc, outpacing SHSU's 27.2.
The Owls are holding opponents to 32.7 rebounds per game, good for second in CUSA. The Bearkats, meanwhile, enter Saturday with one of the league's best offensive rebound averages at 16 per game. Turnovers will be key to Saturday's result. SHSU leads the league with 14.7 steals per game, while KSU ranks fourth with an average of 20 turnovers forced. The Bearkats lead CUSA in turnover margin at 8.28. KSU ranks sixth at 0.58.
KB's CLIMB
Owl guard
Keyarah Berry continues to clear career milestones and climb the program's Division I-era (2005-pres.) statistical standings. Berry reached 200 career free throws made on Thursday and is 13 from sixth at KSU. With six points scored on Saturday, Berry will surpass Ashley Holliday (2009-13) for eighth in career scoring. Three steals are all that separate Berry from 10th in the era's career steals standings.
Berry's 110 field goals on the season lead CUSA, while her 48.7 shooting percentage from the field ranks second and her 280 points fourth.
BLOCK PARTY
KSU ranks second in CUSA with four blocks per game for a season total of 76.
Latazia Williamson and
Emaya Lewis each tied career highs in blocks with four and three, respectively, for a season-high team total of seven swats at LA Tech. With Williamson's four blocks against the Lady Techsters, the Owls are the only CUSA team with multiple players recording three different games of four or more blocks this season.
TaTianna Stovall leads the league with 27 blocks and is the only player with two games of five or more. The true freshman forward is just two shy of surpassing Christine Wylie (2010-11) for ninth at KSU in DI-era single-season blocks.
START & FINISH
After outscoring UTEP and NM State a combined 45-21 in the first quarter a week ago, the Owls succumbed to a slow start at LA Tech. Eight of nine KSU losses followed a first-quarter deficit. When the Owls have a lead late, they hang onto it. They have won 13 consecutive games when taking a lead into the fourth quarter, dating back to January 25, 2025.
RECIPE FOR SUCCESS
In two wins a week ago, KSU was a combined +22 in paint scoring, +39 in points off turnovers and +17 in fast break points. Thursday's game saw the Owls go a combined -46 in these categories.
Sharing the ball has also been key to KSU's success this season. In 10 wins, the Owls average 15.2 assists per game, including a DI-era-high 25 versus WKU. KSU's assists have dipped to 10 per game in its nine losses.
SERIES HISTORY
Saturday marks the third meeting between KSU and Sam Houston. The Owls split the two meetings in 2025 with an 85-73 win in Huntsville on Jan. 16 and a 65-53 loss in Kennesaw on Feb. 15. Berry was KSU's second-leading scorer in the road win over the Bearkats with 18 points on 9-of-13 shooting.
KNOW THE FOE
Eighth-year head coach Ravon Justice leads SHSU. The Bearkats' roster features three double-figure scorers in guard Fanta Kone, along with forwards Deborah Ogayemi and Nyla Inmon.
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.
