Taylor Blackmon—Staff Writer
Kennesaw State’s women’s basketball team opened their 2014-15 campaign by defeating the College of Charleston 68-61.
“It was an exciting game,” KSU head coach Nitra Perry said. “It was a huge win for our program in getting the win at the start of the season. The College of Charleston was a really athletic team. They were a big team, so I am really proud of how our girls played and how tough they were tonight.”
From the tip off, this game proved it wasn’t going to be an easy one. The referee tossed the ball in the air and immediately a scramble incurred. After the ball fumbled between hands and players dived on the floor, the Cougars finally came up with the tip and scored the first two points of the game.
A few minutes into the first half, the Owls went on a quick 5-0 run giving them the lead at 9-4.
Just before the first media timeout, the Cougars scored again closing the gap and bringing a burst of energy to the team. Charleston came out of the media timeout with fire. A 10-3 run brought them to a four point lead as the Owls remained stagnant in scoring. With 7:36 left in the first half, the Cougars led by ten, their largest lead of the game.
With less than eight minutes to go, Owls’ guard Kelly Dulkoski checked in the game. She hit a crucial three pointer, giving KSU a boost.
As the half drew near, guard Deandrea Sawyers came up with a steal, which resulted in a Sawyers layup, sending the Owls into the locker room down one at the half, 30-29.
The second half opened with both teams battling and seemingly scoring on each possession.
The intensity rose after senior guard Kristina Wells blocked a shot on a Cougar drive to the baskets.
The game remained close until the final minutes when KSU was able to pull away.
With 1:05 remaining, Sawyers went goes coast to coast after grabbing a defensive rebound and scoring a layup to bring the Owls lead to 64-58.
After a Cougar three-pointer brought the game to 64-61 with 43 seconds remaining, KSU iced the 68-61 win with a driving layup from Wells, followed by a pair of free throws from Frye.
Mosley finished with a game high of 19 points and a perfect 7-7 from the free throw line. Wells was the second leading scorer with 14 point to go along with 8 rebounds and Sawyers had a career high 9 rebounds to go along with 12 points. Starters McAllister and Frye finished with 11 and 9 points.
The Owls will go on a six game road trip starting with Tennessee State on Nov. 17 at 7 P.M.
