The women’s basketball team made an early exit from the Atlantic Sun Tournament in a 79-52 loss to Jacksonville on Friday, March 2, as a strong second quarter showing by the Dolphins dashed all hopes for the Owls.
Led by Breanna Hoover and Alexis Poole, the Owls were able to keep the game close in the first quarter, but a 6-0 run to close the period by the Dolphins was a sign of things to come in the second.
Leading 20-14 after the first quarter, the Dolphins held the Owls to six points while scoring 27 points in a dominant quarter, going on a 19-0 run in the process. Jacksonville, who led the conference in points allowed at 57.8 per game and was second in points scored at 68.4 per game, showed their prowess at both ends of the quarter en-route to a 47-20 lead heading into the half.
Though the Owls were able to stop the bleeding and outscore the Dolphins by four in the third quarter, the fourth quarter saw the Owls outscored by four, cementing the Dolphins’ trip to the next round.
The Owls were led in scoring by the freshman duo Alexis Poole and Kamiyah Street who poured in 13 and 14 respectively. Street, named the ASUN Freshman of the Year, led the Owls in scoring for the season at 16.3 points per game.
For senior Clara Young, this was the final game of her collegiate career, and head coach Agnus Berenato had nothing but positives to share about her career.
“Clara had an amazing career both on and off the court,” Berenato said. “On the court, she ranks in KSU’s top 10 in several categories, including assists, and has helped build this program’s foundation. Off the court, Clara is a two-time ASUN All-Academic Team selection.”
Although the ending was not what the team hoped for, the Owls have a bright future ahead of them based on a youthful core of underclassmen. Freshmen Street and Poole, in addition to sophomore Carlotta Gianolla, held the top three spots in team scoring and rebounding, and each of the three scored in double figures in their final game.
“I am extremely proud of the youth on our team,” Berenato said. “I also want to thank my staff which worked hard daily to make a difference with these ladies. I believe the future is bright and our foundation is forming.”
