by ATLANTA — Trynce Taylor and Shania Nichols poured in 16 and 19 points, respectively, as Kennesaw State women’s basketball held off a late rally to defeat Georgia State 69-63 on Sunday afternoon at the GSU Convocation Center.
With the win, the Owls improve to 6-3, the program’s best start under fifth-year head coach Octavia Blue and best nine-game start since the 2014-15 season.
KSU’s victory over Georgia State also marks the program’s first-ever string of consecutive wins in the 15-game rivalry series.
First Half
The Panthers opened with a 13-6 lead over the first four minutes before Kaelyn Flowers sparked a 7-0 Owls’ run with a steal and fastbreak score. Taylor added a mid-range jumper and Marihya Hart a 3-pointer as KSU squared the game at 13.
After taking a 17-15 deficit into the second quarter, KSU hit its stride, outscoring the Panthers 24-14 before the half. The Owls started the quarter off hot with two triples from Nichols as well as one from Gabriela Bendeck-Giron. Both guards went 2-for-2 at the free throw line to ensure a 39-31 KSU lead at the break.
Second Half
Georgia State rediscovered its 3-point shot and took advantage of a string of Owls turnovers to come within single digits at 52-46.
TaTianna Stovall started the fourth quarter off strong for KSU with a denial at the rim leading to a Nichols fastbreak lay-in on the other end. Stovall then delivered an offensive rebound and putback score on the Owls’ next possession, keeping the Panthers at bay 58-50.
Taylor came up big for KSU in the waning minutes of action as she found Keyarah Berry cutting to the rim for a deuce and moments later collected her own miss and put it back for a score and 62-56 lead.
The next two Panther possessions ended in abruptly with a charge drawn by Bendeck-Giron and steal from Taylor. KSU iced the game with free throws on its way to the 69-63 win.
