Kansas City
Chicago State
?Roos Blow Past Cougars In WAC Action
1/11/2014 5:25:00 PM | Women's Basketball
(Kansas City, Mo.) – The Kansas City women's basketball team (6-10, 2-1) shot a season-high 56.1 percent, including 64.0 percent in the first half, to take down Chicago State (3-13, 0-3), 83-60 on Saturday afternoon at Municipal Auditorium.
“Credit the time our kids have spent in the gym for how well we shot the ball tonight,” Head Coach Marsha Frese said. “They've really used Christmas break to build on their skill set and that was evidenced in our field goal percentage today.”
The 'Roos knocked down a season-high 32 field goals led by senior Eilise O'Connor who finished 9-of-13 from the field and a perfect 7-of-7 from the line for a game-high 25 points, while adding three rebounds, three assists and no turnovers. Grace Mitchell, meanwhile, notched her second double of the season, scoring in double figures for the fifth straight game, finishing with a career-high 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting, 11 rebounds, a block, a steal and an assists and zero turnovers.
“We had really good effort today and started the game off with great energy,” Mitchell said. “We put out a defensive effort that we carried over from the Seattle game and worked hard getting after the ball and getting on the boards. I've stepped into my role, to run and rebound and be the pace setter for the team. During the winter break, I've spent a lot of time in the gym to improve my game and to help this team get better.”
The 'Roos starting forward duo of senior Kim Nezianya and sophomore Taylor Leathers each chipped in 10 points in the victory with Nezianya adding eight rebounds, a career-high tying five assists and two steals.
Kansas City started the game hot, jumping out to a six point lead at 8-2 after freshman Calli White buried a three from the top of the key.
The next two baskets went the Cougars way, but an 11-4 run by UMKC capped by a layup from Mitchell off a feed from sophomore Kelsey Barnwell stretched the lead to nine.
Chicago State closed the margin to just six at 25-19, but a Lauren Dudding three pushed the advantage back to nine for UMKC.
The 'Roos would go on to build a first-half high lead of 13 when Nezianya found O'Connor before taking a 38-27 lead into the locker room.
Coming out of the break, the Cougars brought the lead back to nine one last time before a pair of Leathers free throws started a 15-6 rally for the 'Roos that pushed the lead to 55-37 when Nezianya drilled a three.
The Kangaroos continued to pour it on down the stretch, building their lead to a game-high 26 on a rebound put-back from freshman Taylor Strickland before coming away with the 83-60 victory.
The 23 point margin represents UMKC's largest victory of the season, while the 19 assists are also a season-high. On the glass, the 'Roos out-rebounded the Cougars 38 to 26.
The Blue & Gold will be back in action again on Thursday when they hit the road for the first time in WAC play to take on Texas – Pan American at 7 p.m. in Edinburgh, Texas.
“Our team knows that each game counts as one win or one loss,” Frese added. “You can't get too dialed in on 'the next one, the next one,' you just come focused and ready to play. On many levels, it's still very much about us and getting the most out of our potential. We are excited to get on the road and see where it takes us.”
