Kansas City
North Dakota State
UMKC Comes Up Short At North Dakota State, 70-65
1/29/2011 8:30:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Fargo, N.D. -- The UMKC women's basketball team dropped a 70-65 decision at North Dakota State on Saturday night. The Kangaroos fall to 9-12 overall and 4-6 in The Summit League, while the Bison improve to 9-11 overall and 5-5 in league play. Despite the loss, the `Roos were led by Dayon Hall-Jones with 15 points, Eilise O'Connor with 14 points and Brianna Eldridge had 10 rebounds.
The Kangaroos got off to a sluggish start and the Bison took full advantage of that, jumping out to a seven point lead with 15 minutes left in the first half, 12-5. Jade Tinner was able to counter the North Dakota State offense with a jumper but Megan Shea answered back with a three-pointer to secure an eight point lead, 15-7.
UMKC would get an offensive lift from Hall-Jones, who entered the game in the middle minutes of the first half and made her presence known right away. The junior had four quick points to get the `Roos within four, 19-15, with 9:49 left in the half. But the Bison were able to keep a safe distance away from the Kangaroos with less than five minutes remaining.
With 2:59 left on the clock, Jade Tinner was able to sink a pair of free throws and O'Connor hit a jumper to cut the Bison lead to four points, 29-25. But another Shea three-pointer would send the Bison into the locker room with a seven-point advantage.
The `Roos would start the second half much like the first, allowing North Dakota State to move ahead by nine, 38-29. It wasn't until the middle minutes of the first half that the Kangaroos truly got things moving. With 10:28 on the clock, O'Connor started an eight-point stretch that would cut the Bison lead to four, 49-45.
At the 6:13 mark, Kaycie Boyles would drain a jumper for the `Roos to get her team within two points, 51-49. North Dakota State's versatile offense was able to extend its lead to eight points, 59-51, with less than four minutes on the clock. Abby Plucker hit a jumper and a pair of free throws to give her squad a nine-point lead, 62-53, with 2:24 left in the game.
But senior Sam Sikkink was able to come off the bench and drain a three to get the `Roos within six, 62-56. That play followed by a pair of Hall-Jones free throws would get UMKC within striking distance with 1:19 on the clock, 62-58. UMKC attempted to full court press to force the Bison to make a turnover, but North Dakota State was able to handle the pressure.
With 37 second left, North Dakota State possessed a six-point lead. O'Connor and Hall-Jones would try their best to give the `Roos one last shot, hitting a jumper and a three-pointer, but UMKC would be forced to foul to stop the clock. North Dakota State went 3-of-4 from the free throw line in the final 20 seconds of play to secure the win.
The Bison had four players finish in double figures, led by Plucker with 19 points and 17 rebounds.
UMKC will head to Brookings, S.D., to take on South Dakota State on Monday night at 7 p.m.
