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Kansas City
South Dakota State
'Roos Fall To Jacks In Summit League Road Opener
1/3/2013 11:38:00 PM | Women's Basketball
"Obviously we are disappointed," Kansas City head coach Marsha Frese said. "We knew coming into this environment just how talented South Dakota State is. You have to bring your best effort every single night. We obviously have a ton to work on."
Junior Eilise O'Connor led the Kansas City effort with 15 points, including knocking down 11-of-12 free throws, three assists, three steals and two rebounds, while playing all 40 minutes for the seventh time this season.
"You see the remnants of a kid like Eilise O'Connor and just what she is all about," Frese added. "I think it is going to be a great opportunity for her, from a leadership perspective, to show this young team what it looks like to be successful."
The 'Roos opened up with the first five points of the contest on a baseline jumper from O'Connor and a three from the left corner by senior Emile Blakesley, but a 22-3 run by the Jacks gave the home team a 22-8 lead at the 8:23 mark of the first half.
Five of the next seven points went to the 'Roos on a layup by O'Connor and 35-foot three-pointer by Blakesley, but UMKC would manage just two more points the rest of the half, as SDSU held a 40-15 lead at the break.
Coming out of the locker room, the 'Roos converted the first two field goals of the half on a jumper by freshman Lauren Dudding and a layup by junior Ashli Hill that cut the margin to 23 at 42-19.
SDSU, though, extended its lead to 29, holding the 'Roos without a field goal over the next 3:37, until junior Hailey Houser ended the stretch, scoring the Kangaroos' next five points.
The 'Roos, however, would get no closer than 27 the rest of the way as South Dakota State built its lead to a game-high 41 before taking the 82-47 victory.
"This game is a great learning opportunity for our kids to realize that is what it looks like to be successful," Frese added. "We are playing a lot of kids into experience and have a ton of growth ahead of us, but they have to stick together and realize it's time to grow up a little bit. You take opportunity when it comes to you and for some of the other players on this team, they need to realize [Kim Nezianya's injury] is an opportunity. You can't control injuries, but when they happen it gives other players an opportunity to step up and get some valuable experience. Those opportunities don't come as often as you like in life, so hopefully they continue to try to embrace that and learn as much as they can while she is out of the rotation."
The Blue & Gold will be back in action again on Saturday when they visit Fargo, N.D., to take on North Dakota State at 7 p.m. in Summit League action.
