Kansas City
Oakland
`Roos Fall Short Against Oakland, 63-61, Despite Nezianya Double-Double
2/28/2011 11:56:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Kansas City, Mo. -- The UMKC women's basketball team closed the regular season with a 63-61 loss to Oakland on Monday night. The Kangaroos close out the regular season 14-15 overall and 9-9 in Summit League play, while the Golden Grizzlies improve to 18-11 overall and 12-6 in league play. Despite the loss, LeAndrea Thomas finished with 15 points and four assists, while Kim Nezianya finished with 10 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double.
The game was up in the air until the very end, with neither team leading by more than eight points during the course of the night. With 14:24 left in the first half, the game had already been tied three times. The Kangaroos were able to hold a slight 17-12 lead and keep it during the middle minutes of the first half, following a Nezianya rebound and put-back and then a Thomas steal and fast-break lay-up.
It wasn't until the five minute mark, that Oakland was able to take back the lead, 20-19, after a Sharise Calhound jumper. Calhoun's jumper would spark a 7-0 stretch for the Golden Grizzlies, giving them a six-point advantage, with 4:11 left in the first half. But the `Roos would counter, with a pair of jumpers from Boyles and a third jumper by Thomas, tying the game at 25-25.
Bethany Watterworth, leading all scorers with 19 points on the evening, hit a jumper with 1:52 left and a free throw to send Oakland into the locker room with a three-point advantage, 28-25.
The Kangaroos emerged from the locker room and began to chip away at the Golden Grizzlies small lead. Ashli Hill drained a jumper and then played some defense on the other end by blocking Brittany Carnago and earning a trip to the free throw line, making both attempts and getting the `Roos within one, 30-29.
A much needed three-pointer by Anna Patritto would move Oakland two possessions ahead, 33-29. The Golden Grizzlies would then go on a 10-2 run in the middle minutes of the second half, extending their lead to eight points, 45-37. UMKC was able to chip away at Oakland's lead, but wouldn't get any closer than four points until less than five minutes remained in the game.
With 4:29 left on the clock, Nezianya stepped up and drained back-to-back three's, giving UMKC a 56-54 edge over Oakland. But just one minute later, Watterworth would convert on a three-point play to give the Golden Grizzlies the one-point lead, 57-56. Calhoun would also make another lay-up to extend Oakland's lead to three points, 59-56, with 2:08 left on the clock.
Eilise O'Connor worked her way to the line, hitting both attempts, and then drained a three with 58 seconds left to give UMKC a 61-60 lead.
A questionable foul sent Pattritto to the line and with two makes, Oakland was back out in front, 62-61, with 33 second left. The Kangaroos would have two chances to find the bottom of the net but couldn't get a pair of free throws to drop.
UMKC's season isn't over yet, as they had previously qualified for The Summit League Championships. Final seedings and game times will be released tomorrow.
