Kansas City
Oral Roberts
UMKC Drops 90-79 Decision To Summit League Leader Oral Roberts
1/15/2011 5:24:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Tulsa, Okla. -- The UMKC women's basketball team dropped a 90-79 decision at Oral Roberts on Saturday afternoon. The Kangaroos fall to 6-11 overall and 1-5 in The Summit League, while the Golden Eagles improve to 11-7 overall and remain perfect in league play at 7-0. Despite the loss, LeAndrea Thomas led UMKC with 16 points, six assists and a career-high eight steals. Eilise O'Connor also finished in double-figures with 15 points.
The Kangaroos got off to a great start in the opening minutes with three straight three-pointers by Brianna Eldridge, O'Connor and Thomas to counter the league leading Golden Eagles offense. Following a Thomas three with 17 minutes left in the first half, the `Roos were tied with the Golden Eagles, 9-9. The Kansas City, Mo., native would give the Kangaroos a brief lead following a made free throw, but Jaci Bigham and Kevi Luper would put the lead back in Oral Roberts favor, 14-10.
The Golden Eagles would hold a slight edge over the Kangaroos in the middle minutes of the first half, but a jumper from Ashli Hill and another three from Thomas would tie things up for a third time, 22-22, with 11:45 left.
Oral Roberts would jump out to a nine-point lead, 34-25, with 8:08 left in the first half following a pair of three's from Georgia Jones and Bigham. The Kangaroos would get as close as two points with 1:34 left on the clock with a lay-up by Thomas and another Hill jumper. A pair of Savanna Buck free throws would give Oral Roberts a 45-39 edge, but Jade Tinner would knock down a free throw to send the `Roos into the locker room down by five points, 45-40.
UMKC would keep it close in the opening minutes of the second half, but Oral Roberts would piece together a 15-3 run in the middle minutes of the second half to jump out ahead by 17 points, 65-48, with 12 minutes left in the game.
The Golden Eagles hit 70 points to take a 20-point lead with 10:33 left. Christian Key would give her team a 26-point advantage with 6:04 on the clock, 82-56.
The `Roos were able to end on a strong note, piecing together a 14-0 run in the final two minutes of play.
But the damage would be done, as the Golden Eagles had five players finish in double figures. Jones led all players with 20 points and Luper finished with 17 points.
The Kangaroos were 11-of-19 from the three-point line, led by Thomas and O'Connor with three three's a piece.
UMKC continues on the road to face Centenary on Jan. 17 at 7 p.m., in Shreveport, La.
