KENNESAW, Ga. (Interstat) — Kennesaw State dominated from the start and cruised to an 83-52 victory over UTEP in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball game Thursday night at KSU Convocation Center.

The Owls (8-8) opened with a 24-point first quarter and never relented, leading wire-to-wire before an announced crowd of 441. Shania Nichols and Trynce Taylor each scored 18 points to pace Kennesaw State. The Miners (9-9) were led by Portia Adams with 14 points and Mary Moses Amaniyo with 13.

UTEP, which never held a lead, scored fewer points in each successive quarter. The teams are scheduled to meet again in El Paso on Feb. 28. Kennesaw State next hosts New Mexico State on Saturday, while UTEP visits Jacksonville State.