Feb. 4, 2008

Final Stats

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Junior Ebony Johnson's (Columbia, S.C./Ridgeview) fifth career double-double and sophomore Courtney Hawkins' (Greer, S.C./Greer) 500th career point were not enough on Monday night, as Kennesaw State used 13 steals to get past the USC Upstate women's basketball team, 80-49, in Atlantic Sun Conference action at the Hodge Center.

The 5-7 Johnson finished with 14 points and 13 rebounds for Upstate (4-18 overall, 0-9 A-Sun), for her first double-double since a 12-point, 20-rebound performance against Bethune-Cookman on Dec. 31. Hawkins, who joined junior Courtney Bradley (Columbia, S.C./Dutch Fork) as players who joined the 500-point club this season, posted 18 points and added four rebounds and four steals. Hawkins, who hit two 3-pointers, went 4-for-15 from the field, but was a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line.

Sophomore Shanea Wyant (Lafayette, Ind./Lafayette Jefferson) posted six points and three rebounds and freshman Tiffany Whiting (Troutman, N.C./South Iredell) added five points and connected on her 25th 3-pointer of the season.

The Owls (11-10 overall, 6-3 A-Sun) used 11 first-half points from DeAndrea Bullock and nine from Greteya Kelley to jump out to a 42-14 first-half lead. An active defense forced 13 turnovers on eight steals, leading to 22 points off turnover and eight fast-break points. Ashley Johnson posted seven assists in the half.

"They came out playing a very aggressive man defense," Upstate head coach Tammy George said. "We had some trouble offensively getting into it and we just turned the ball over. In the first half, we shot a whopping eight percent. You're not going to be in any game shooting like that."

The Spartans could get no closer than 25 points in the second-half, but did heat up their shooting, hitting 41 percent (12-for-29). Hawkins posted 14 points in the half and Johnson collected nine points and eight rebounds in the half. The Owls turned to the bench for much of their offense, with Nikki Gurley and Ngoneh Gaye each posting seven in the half.

Britteny Henderson posted 13 points and nine rebounds, Kelley added 15 points and four steals, Gurley added 13 points and three 3-pointers and Bullock posted 13 points, three 3-pointers and six rebounds for Kennesaw State.

The Spartans will now head to the furthest point south in school history, as they head to Florida Gulf Coast for a 7 p.m. Saturday conference contest.

Notes
The Spartans are 8-6 all-time on Feb. 4.

Sophomore Courtney Hawkins has recorded a steal in each of the last 21 games, coming up with four on Monday.

Sophomore Courtney Hawkins has reached double figures in 16 of 21 games this year.

Sophomore Courtney Hawkins became the first player in the DI era to reach 50 steals, doing so with her second of four swipes during the game.

Sophomore Shanea Wyant reached 200 career points with her first of six points during the night.

Junior Ebony Johnson recorded her third double-double of the season, with her 14 points and 13 rebounds. She also tied a career-high with four assists, having reached that mark two other times.

Freshman Kimberly Pitman posted four rebounds. She is averaging 5.0 rebounds a game in conference clashes.

Freshman Tiffany Whiting connected on her 25th 3-pointer of the season, becoming the eighth freshman in school history to reach the mark. She has hit a 3-pointer in five of the last six games.

Freshman Tara Tranum tied a career-high with four points. She has posted four two other times, last doing so at ETSU on Jan. 5.