The Tianni Kelly era is off to a flying start. Kennesaw State women's basketball routed Shorter 72-42 in its season opener Monday morning, Nov. 2, at VyStar Arena, leading wire to wire behind a suffocating defense and a balanced attack.
The Owls (1-0) used a 15-0 run to build a 22-2 lead, were up 26-9 after one quarter and 44-21 at the half, and pushed the margin to as many as 33 late. Four Owls scored in double figures, led by junior guard Kaelyn Flowers with a career-high 15 points.
Key Performers
Flowers filled the stat sheet with 15 points, a team-high five assists, four steals and five rebounds. Tracey Bershers added 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting with eight rebounds, Shania Nichols had 12 points, five boards and three steals, and Arissa Jenkins chipped in 10 points and five rebounds. Madyson Elliott grabbed 12 rebounds off the bench, five of them on the offensive glass.
"I'm really proud of our defensive effort. I'm proud of our 24 fast break points," Kelly said after her first win as KSU head coach, per Kennesaw State Athletics.
Box Score Highlights
- Final: Kennesaw State 72, Shorter 42 (quarters: 26-9, 18-12, 16-10, 12-11)
- Field goals: KSU 40%, Shorter 27%
- Turnovers forced: 20, turned into 24 points
- Rebounds: KSU 52-35, including 16-6 offensive
- Bench points 30-5, paint points 52-18, fast-break points 24-8
Up Next
The Owls host Clayton State on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 6 p.m. ET at VyStar Arena on ESPN+. Catch up on our Shorter opener preview, and see the full 2026 Kennesaw State schedule for every upcoming game.
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Source: Kennesaw State Athletics, Owls Open Season, Kelly Era with Dominant Showing Versus Shorter