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Kansas City
IUPUI
'Roos Come Up Just Short Against Jags
1/24/2013 9:10:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Senior Emile Blakesley had one final attempt to send the 'Roos off with the win, but her jumper from the right corner came up just short.
For the 'Roos, junior Eilise O'Connor finished with team-highs of 24 points, on 8-of-15 shooting from the field, including 2-of-3 from long distance, and 6-of-6 shooting from the line, five rebounds and three assists, while Blakesley reached career-highs in rebounds and steals with five each.
"Games like this are hard to swallow," O'Connor said. "I wish it would have gone our way in the end, but there is no doubt that we are a different team than we were even just five games ago. We've turned a corner and we are confident in our ability to compete against every team in our conference."
After a sloppy first half that featured 26 combined turnovers and saw the 'Roos trail by as many as nine at 17-8, Kansas City scored 11 of the first 16 points of the second half to overcome a 26-21 halftime deficit and tie the game for the first time at 32-32 with 13:16 left to play.
On the ensuing Kansas City possession, the Kangaroos took their first lead of the game when O'Connor converted a three-point play and maintained the advantage two possessions later when junior Hailey Houser knocked down a baseline jumper.
The Jaguars would answer with five straight to retake the lead, but O'Connor connected on a jumper of her own to tie the game for the third time at 39-39.
A jumper by IUPUI on its next possession put them back in front but O'Connor again stepped up, knocking down a three from the right wing to put UMKC ahead 42-41 with just under four minutes left to play.
The Jaguars would tie the game with a free throw on their next trip, but back-to-back jumpers near the basket by Houser gave the 'Roos their biggest lead of the game at 46-42 with just 2:09 remaining in the contest.
Houser's last jumper, however, would be the final points the 'Roos scored as IUPUI reeled off the final five points of the game, including the game winning layup by Dawn Luster with 6.7 on the clock to take the 47-46 victory.
Defensively, Kansas City registered 11 steals, while limiting the Jaguars to just 30.8 percent shooting from the field, including 17.6 percent from three-point range.
"Without question we still have areas that need work, but I'm proud of this team for showing true grit and battling with one of the most physical and best defensive teams in our league," O'Connor added. "The great thing is we have a short turnaround and another chance to take a road conference win on Saturday."
The Blue & Gold will be back in action again on Saturday when they head to Macomb, Ill. to take on Western Illinois in a Summit League showdown at 4:30 p.m. CT.
