The Owls cemented their best start in ASUN conference history at 3-0.
Women’s basketball defeated the Jacksonville Dolphins narrowly 59-57 on Saturday, Jan. 13 at the Kennesaw State Convocation Center where they secured their third win in the Atlanta Sun Conference.
Forward Prencis Harden led the Owls with 10 points, followed by Co-Guards Carly Hooks and Laura Toffali with nine points each.
In the final minute, Hooks made two critical free throws to put the Owls in the lead at 59-57. The Owls’ defense near the end was commendable as they held on tight to clinch a hard-fought victory. This win marked the Owls’ seventh triumph of the season.
Successful free throws during the game made the Owls capable of winning, with Harden, Hooks, Dillard and Forward Trynce Taylor made 100% of free throw attempts.
During the first quarter of the game, the Owls and the Dolphins matched each other’s play. The teams were neck-and-neck until KSU began to break away from Jacksonville in the last three minutes of the quarter. The Owls went into the second quarter leading 23-14.
Halfway into the second quarter, the Owls were ahead 30-18 displaying their dominance in the game. Despite Jacksonville’s solid performance on free throws, the Owls managed to maintain their lead. By the end of the game, the Dolphins made 14 out of 18 free throws.
As the clock wound down in the second quarter, Jacksonville’s passes were strong, however, the Owls maneuvered more efficiently. Forward Layla Hood‘s successful free throws contributed to the Owls’ halftime lead of 36-23.
Hooks made the first basket of the third quarter which extended the Owls’ lead. Following the play, Hooks committed a technical foul providing Jacksonville with an opportunity that resulted in three out of four successful free throws.
The score tightened to 38-36 at 5:45 left in the quarter; however, two free throws by Guard Morgan Dillard set the Owls back in the lead at 40-36. Toffali’s impressive three-pointer that was assisted by Dillard added to the Owls’ momentum.
Jacksonville’s Guard Edyn Battle responded with back-to-back three-pointers, putting the Dolphins in the lead at 43-44. During the game, Battle scored 20 points, with six of those points coming from three-pointers.
The fourth quarter started with Jacksonville leading 45-46, which set up the stage for a back-and-forth battle. While fast-paced play in the last two minutes saw missed shots, the Owls showcased their resilience by consistently rebounding.
As Fans celebrated the Owls’ performance, the team’s determination and skill in the game didn’t go unnoticed as it kept everyone on the edge of their seats.
The game marked exceptional performances, strategic plays and unfolded with remarkable moments from key players. Overall, the Owls managed 13 steals and 32 rebounds that aided their victory.
The Owls’ win against Jacksonville marks their second consecutive win against the Dolphins since Feb. 16, 2012. This game signifies the Owls’ smallest margin of victory over Jacksonville with a score of 59-57, with their largest margin of victory being 75-55 back in 2019.
To follow the women’s basketball schedule and see who their next opponent is, go to their webpage on the KSU Athletics website.
