The KSU Lady Owls conducted another of their patented furious second-half rallies to top the Mercer Lady Bears 64-50 on Monday afternoon at the Convocation Center.
Ten minutes into the game, KSU had managed just five points after opening the game on a 1-for-20 shooting slump. The score at halftime was a stagnant 21-18 in favor of Mercer. Head coach Colby Tilley took out his entire starting five and inserted a completely new fivesome, some of whom had not played since December.
“That five, they’re the ones that actually won the game for us because they did two things: they kept us in the game and, secondly, they showed that first team that they can do it without you guys,” explained Tilley.
The fivesome included Tamasha Bolden, JoeDonna Molden, Ashley Johnson, Jasmine Johnson and Gia Lockett. Molden actually scored her first field goal of the season.
After the break, KSU opened up on a 10-2 run to grab a 28-23 lead at the 16:40 mark.
Lockett was the story of the second half, scoring 19 points after putting up zero in the first half. Montinique Nixon added 12 points and 11 boards after also not scoring in the first stanza.
“When I get my opportunity out there, I just try to pick the team up,” said Lockett. “We had some good defensive stops and got some confidence when I hit some shots back-to-back.”
Lockett sealed the game for KSU with a 3-point dagger with just 2:37 remaining.
KSU now stands at 11-11 overall and 8-6 in the Atlantic Sun. The Lady Owls have won five of their last seven games. The win put them in a tie for fifth-place with Mercer who fell to 8-6 in the A-Sun. The two teams split their regular season series at 1-1.
KSU travels to Florida Gulf Coast on Thursday to take on the first place Lady Eagles.
Black can be reached at sblack@scoreatl.com.
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