No Rest for Georgia Tech in Win Against Kennesaw State

By James Bowman: SPM GA Writer
Posted Thursday, November 20, 2008

ATLANTA – The rule is that there’s no such thing as being too comfortable. But one might forgive the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets for their error-prone start against the neighboring Kennesaw State Owls.

Tech had just returned from a surprisingly close game against #1 Connecticut, and were now hoping to relax. The visiting Owls nearly took advantage, but the Yellow Jackets pulled away, 77-49 at Alexander Memorial Coliseum on Wednesday.

Georgia Tech senior guard Jacqua Williams contributed four Yellow Jacket steals in the first five minutes of the first half. Before the game, Williams was only ten steals away from breaking the school's all-time steal record. Sophomore guard/forward Alex Montgomery had three 3-pointers in the first five minutes as well to help Tech take a 15-5 early lead. Kennesaw State's only option was to spread the offense to try to keep away from Georgia Tech's omnivorous pressing defense. The Owls played zone against Georgia Tech for virtually the entire game.

“One of our goals is to beat all in-state opponents”

The visitors kept their cool as Georgia Tech fell into foul trouble. The Yellow Jackets were soon over the limit and the Owls closed the gap to 16-12 on multiple free throws after twelve minutes of play. Tech's young team warded off multiple traveling calls, hanging on until freshman center Sasha Bennett scored six of her seven first-half points to help the Yellow Jackets pull away again. But freshman guard Angie Smith of Kennesaw State hit a 30-foot 3-pointer with time expiring to close the first half just five points down to the home team, 31-26.

Williams' four first-half steals were offset by her four turnovers. Kennesaw State turned the ball over a whopping 21 times in the first half – yet only totaled six more than Georgia Tech. The Owls would end up with 39 turnovers in the game.

In the second half, junior guard Greteya Kelley brought the Owls within one, at 31-30 with 17:06 to go. The Yellow Jackets then went on a 12-0 run, aided by the Owls' four fouls in the first five minutes. Georgia Tech maintained and extended its double-digit lead through the remainder of the game, with two free throws from Montgomery increasing the lead to twenty with 5:24 left. As soon as the Yellow Jackets found their comfort zone, the reserves came in for their minutes.

Tech head coach MaChelle Joseph recognized that her team was fighting off fatigue from the Connecticut game.

“We stopped pressing and went into a half-court man, and I think they only scored two or three times against that ... I thought our adjustments in the second half were pretty effective,” she said.

Montgomery led the Yellow Jackets with 17 points and four rebounds. Four Yellow Jackets would score in double figures, including sophomore guard/forward Iasia Hemingway with 16 points.

“I just thought that with her intensity level -- her passion in the second half -- I thought Iasia separated us,” Joseph said. “I thought that she made two or three big 3-point plays and came up with some big rebounds, and I thought that she was the big difference against that zone.”

Senior forward Britteny Henderson led Kennesaw State with 13 points and seven rebounds, fouling out with 4:04 to go in the game. Junior guard Gia Lockett scored 11 points. Senior guard Jennifer Baker of the Owls turned the ball over an astonishing 11 times.

Georgia Tech plans on playing many in-state teams; Georgia State, Georgia, and Savannah State are on the upcoming schedule.

“One of our goals is to beat all in-state opponents,” Joseph said. “If we want to be the best team in the state, we've got to play them all.”

Georgia Tech remains at home and will play Mississippi Valley State on November 22nd at 2pm. Kennesaw State returns home for their season home-opener against the College of Charleston, also on the 22nd at 2pm.