Kansas City
Bethune-Cookman
Kangaroos Snap Five-Game Losing Streak; Defeat Bethune-Cookman, 60-51
12/18/2010 3:24:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Jacksonville, Fla. -- The UMKC women's basketball team snapped a five-game losing streak on Saturday afternoon with a 60-51 win over Bethune-Cookman. The Kangaroos were led by Eilise O'Connor, who finished with a career-high 13 points and six rebounds. Kaycie Boyles led the `Roos with eight rebounds, while Kim Nezianya finished with six. Ashli Hill also recorded six blocks in the win.
The Kangaroos improve to 4-7 overall and the Wildcats drop to 3-5 on the year.
The `Roos finally pieced together a good first half and headed into the locker room with a 28-24 lead. UMKC hit the floor running in the opening minutes and jumped out to a nine-point lead (10-4), following a Brianna Eldridge lay-up.
The Wildcats were able to settle down and make some shots, UMKC held them to just four points in the first eight minutes, hitting the 10-point mark with nine minutes remaining. But the Kangaroos would own the middle minutes of the first and jump out to a 23-10 lead after a jumper from Hailey Houser.
Bethune-Cookman began to work its way back into the game, going on an 8-0 run in the final four minutes of the half. The Wildcats were also able to minimize the `Roos offense with a zone defense in the remaining minutes of the first.
The Kangaroos struggled in the opening minutes of the second half, going 0-for-8 in the first nine minutes of the second half from the field. Jasmine Daniels was able to hit a three-pointer just two minutes into the second to get her squad within one, 28-27. But O'Connor and Mariah Davis were able to get the `Roos back ahead by five points, 32-27, with 16:55 left on the clock.
The Wildcats would take their only lead of the game with 11:30 remaining, 34-33, following a Jasmine Elum three. But a pair of free throws by Nezianya would put the lead back in the `Roos favor and they would hold it for the rest of the game.
UMKC would jump out ahead by 10 points with five minutes on the clock, despite only shooting .200 percent from the field during the second half. The `Roos were able to hold on for the win by going 10-of-12 from the free throw line in the remaining five minutes of the game.
The Kangaroos will close out competition in the Lady Osprey Holiday Tournament with Troy at noon tomorrow.
