Angie Smith’s two free throws with 17.7 seconds left lifted Kennesaw State to a 65-62 win over Jacksonville on Thursday night at the KSU Convocation Center in Atlantic Sun Conference play.

Smith’s free throws capped a wild rally in the final eight minutes as the Owls (8-17, 5-11 A-Sun) rallied from a 10-point deficit, holding the Dolphins (8-16, 7-9 A-Sun) to just 10 points during that span. Smith finished with eight points for KSU while Sametria Gideon, Gia Lockett and DeAndrea Bullcok all led the Owls with 12 points.

“This was a very disappointing loss, especially after we had fought so hard to take the lead in the second half,” said JU head coach Jill Dunn.

The Dolphins defense forced 27 turnovers in the game, but couldn’t take advantage of the opportunities, scoring just 15 points. KSU meanwhile forced JU into 24 turnovers and scored 28 points.

Trailing by three at the half, KSU stormed out of the gates in the second half to take a 36-32 lead.

The Dolphins answered with a 16-2 run to take a 48-38 lead with 12:17 left after Courtney Jackson finished off a fastbreak with a layup.

From there, KSU slowly and methodically got back into the game. The Owls cut the deficit to four with 6:37 left and regained the lead with 2:50 left on a jumper by Smith.

The Dolphins were able to battle back to tie the game at 62 on a layup Taneskei Richardson with 29 seconds left, setting up Smith’s game-winning free throws.

JU got a game-high 14 points from Courtney Jackson off the bench, with Drameka Griggs adding 10.

A back and forth first half in which both teams led by five, Valerie Jones’ 3-point play with five seconds left gave JU a 27-24 lead at halftime.

The Dolphins wrap up their road schedule on Saturday as they travel to Mercer. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m.