KENNESAW, Ga. – The Jacksonville State women's basketball team escaped the Kennesaw Convocation Center with a 71-68 win over Kennesaw State on Thursday evening and improved to 15-4 overall and 6-1 in league play.

Despite leading for just 6:50 in the game, the Gamecocks outscored the Owls 22-16 in route to the win. JSU began the game like every other conference game this season and trailed 10-6 five minutes in. Much like the other games, JSU found a way to take the lead despite the slow start. In a game that featured nine ties and 18 lead changes, Kennesaw State outscored JSU in every quarter except for the fourth and led by as many as six with 2:48 to go.

Down six, Keiara Griffin drained back-to-back three-pointers to tie the game with 1:28 remaining. Following a timeout, Kiana Johnson drilled her patented turn-around jumper in the paint, giving JSU a two-point lead, 69-67 with 53 seconds to go. Kennesaw State made it a one-point game from the free-throw line before JSU iced the win 71-68 following an outlet-pass layup from Gavin.

"Keiara hit a couple of big baskets but then we got stops from that point forward. We are a program that in the past has really held our hat on defense but honestly this year that's not how we are winning. We are winning with timely defense but not through defense," said Head Coach Rick Pietri. "The flip side is we are making baskets. We are finding ways to make baskets at the time we need them most. Kiana Johnson hit the big basket on the sideline out of bounds play to give us the lead. That last 2:48 we were able to completely lock in and hold them without scoring."

JSU shot a season-high 49 percent from the floor while the Owls were 55.1 percent for the game, the highest mark of any Gamecock opponent this season. Three-point percentages were high for both sides as well as the Gamecocks finished 42 percent from deep and KSU was 54.1 percent.

"Unfortunately, sometimes we wait till our backs are against the wall to get locked in and follow through on how we are assigned to defend," added Pietri. "Frankly, our focus gets better on offense. Honestly, that's a dangerous way to live. That's not something that I want us to do but I respect the fact that our kids were able to find a way to win in a game I feel certain Kennesaw State thought that they had won."

Three players scored in double-figures for the Gamecocks as Martin led the way with 19 on an impressive 5-of-9 shooting from beyond-the-arc. Keiara Griffin scored 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for her fourth-career double-double while Nekiyah Thompson added 12 points. Thompson was fantastic on the defensive end as well for the Gamecocks, drawing nine fouls four of which were charges. Gavin scored eight points in the game, including six in the fourth quarter alone.

"The charges Nekiyah takes are enormous because it adds a foul to the total of the player and for their team and gives us the ball. It is almost the equivalent of a steal," said Pietri. "Those have an enormously positive impact on our team, and we are grateful that's she in engaged in such a way to do that for us."

The Gamecocks once again won the turnover battle, 16-19, and scored 21 points off KSU's turnovers.

JSU continues a two-game road trip on Saturday, Jan. 29, against Liberty at 1 p.m. CT. Stay up to date with the Gamecocks at JSUGamecocksports.com and on social media @JSUGamecocksWBB.