KENNESAW, Ga. —
Kailyn Fields scored a career-high 22 points with six 3-pointers to lead Kennesaw State women's basketball to its first Conference USA win of the season in a 78-64 defeat of WKU on Sunday afternoon at VyStar Arena.
First Half
WKU sprang out to an 8-0 lead over the first five minutes of play before
Shania Nichols took the lid off the basket for KSU with a corner triple. A transition lay-in from
Trynce Taylor and
Keyarah Berry 3-pointer helped the Owls close the gap on the Lady Toppers to a 14-12 game at quarter's end.
Kailyn Fields arrived on the scene with three of KSU's first five field goals in the second quarter. Fields drained a floater in the lane to knot the game at 14, then hit consecutive 3-pointers to put KSU up 24-20 with five minutes before the half.
Kaelyn Flowers and Fields added two more buckets to complete a 7-0 run and give the Owls a 26-20 lead.
Latazia Williamson secured a 31-24 KSU advantage at the break with a basket made through contact in the low post and ensuing free throw. The Owls edged WKU 43-42% in first-half shooting with Fields' 10 points leading all scorers.
Second Half
KSU came out of the half and used a pair of Taylor scores in the paint and a Berry steal-turned-score to reach its first double digit lead of the game at 37-25. Fields then proved that she was just getting started with 10 first-half points. The junior sharpshooter drained four 3-pointers in the third quarter, including three consecutive makes to put the Owls up 46-30.
As a team, KSU combined to go 13-of-18 from the field in the third and entered the fourth in charge 62-43.The fight wasn't over yet with the Lady Toppers hitting their own 3-point shots on a 9-0 run to open the fourth. WKU would hit five of their 10 treys on the day in the fourth quarter and come within 11, but came no closer as late 3-pointers from Nichols and Flowers cemented the KSU win.
Game Notes
- Fields' career-high 22 points was accompanied by career highs in field goals made (8), 3-pointers made (6) and tied a career-high with six assists.
- Fields joins teammate Shania Nichols as two of just five players in the CUSA this season with six or more made 3-pointers in a game. KSU is the only CUSA squad with two different players to knock down six triples in a game.
- The Owls recorded a season and Octavia Blue era-high 25 assists. Twenty-five helpers also ties the KSU Division I-era record set in 2019.
- KSU mounted one of its most complete quarters of the season with a 31-19 third on Sunday. The Owls shot 13-of-18 from the field and 5-of-8 from distance with 11 of 13 shots assisted for their second quarter of 30-plus points this season.
- Flowers (11), Berry (11) and Williamson (10) joined Fields to give KSU four double-figure scorers. Williamson added a career-high 11 rebounds for a double-double.
Head Coach Octavia Blue Postgame:
On bouncing back from Friday's loss to a win over WKU
"Incredible bounce-back win for us today. In our first CUSA game at home versus Middle Tennessee, I don't think we performed to the best of our ability. We didn't display the preparation we needed to give Owl Nation something to support and be proud of. I wanted to test my team to understand what is inside of us that's going to allow us to bounce back from failure.
We came out today with a statement. Obviously, we have to turn down those turnovers we had in the first quarter. We got off to a slow start and, as a staff, we have to find out how we can remedy that. Overall though, this was a great performance, a team effort and a brilliant effort by
Kailyn Fields."
On tying a KSU Division I-era record 25 assists
"All season long, the emphasis has been on good, better and best shots. Not taking the best shot for yourself but taking the best shot for KSU women's basketball. So, sharing the ball, taking what the defense gives us, making the proper reads and ultimately, finishing. That's how you get those points. The players are bought into that. They love feeding one another and cheering for one another. As much success and happiness you may have in scoring the ball yourself, we find joy in providing opportunities for others."
On Kailyn Fields' performance
"She understands what I want. She and I had film study this morning. We talked about how WKU was going to play us and how we could get particular players open. She made the proper reads today and her confidence was at an all-time high. After she saw a couple of shots go down, I saw that little bounce in her and I knew we were going to have a great game from her."
Junior Guard Kailyn Fields Postgame:
On having this performance after missing time with an injury in December
"To come back from injury and have that type of performance is all about confidence. Like Coach Blue said, we had film study this morning and she trusted me and believed in me. She knows when I'm in that groove and she knows when to come to me and uplift me. Today, I looked at her and gave her that little bounce and I knew I was going to have a good game."
On maintaining the team's energy and focus after a halftime lead
"I was like, 'let's keep the same energy and go out there and show them what KSU is all about.' Like Coach Blue said, in our first [conference] game, we didn't have our best game but today we definitely proved that we're here to compete."
Next Time Out
KSU moves into week two of CUSA play with road games at Missouri State and FIU Jan. 8 and 10. Watch the Owls face CUSA newcomer Missouri State on
ESPN+ at 7:30 p.m. EST on Jan. 8.
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.
