Kansas City
Texas-Pan American
Nezianya?s Monster Game Not Enough For ?Roos Against Broncs
1/16/2014 8:57:00 PM | Women's Basketball
(Kansas City, Mo.) – Seniors Kim Nezianya and Eilise O'Connor combined for 38 of the 'Roos 50 points, with each netting 19, as the Kansas City women's basketball team (6-11, 2-2) fell 65-50 on Thursday night to Texas – Pan American (8-9, 2-2) at the UTPA Fieldhouse.
“Kim and Eilise came out and did what we expect out of great senior leaders, but we aren't going to win too many games if we get that kind of production out of two kids” Head Coach Marsha Frese said. “We are looking for other people to step up and be ready when needed.”
Nezianya matched her career-high with 17 of the UMKC's 44 rebounds, while Grace Mitchell grabbed seven and O'Connor, Hailey Houser and Taylor Leathers each nabbed four.
“Part of my role on this team is to rebound,” Nezianya said. “I knew that I would have an advantage inside because they have undersized post players and that if I got good position, I could get any rebound I went for. My mindset going in was to dominate on the inside and that's what I tried to do.”
In the opening half, UTPA built a 9-2 lead to open the game, before stretching the gap to 19 at 31-12 with a 12-0 late in the half.
The 'Roos, though, closed out the first period with nine of the final 11 points, trimming the lead to 35-21 at the break.
Coming out of the locker room, the 'Roos quickly cut the lead to seven, scoring the first seven points of the half when White drained a three after back-to-back baskets from Nezianya and O'Connor.
UTPA pushed the lead back to 12 at 42-30, but two straight jumpers from O'Connor sliced it back to eight.
The Broncs would answer with a jumper of their own, but a three-point play from Nezianya, followed by two O'Connor free throws cut the margin to six at 44-38 with 8:42 to play.
The Lead would remain at six two possessions later, but the 'Roos would be unable to get any closer, as UTPA stretched the lead back to 18 before coming away with the 65-50 victory.
Offensively, Calli White (5), Leathers (5) and Mitchell (2) were the only other 'Roos to score, while on the defensive end, Kansas City limited the Broncs to 36.8 percent shooting from the field, including 25.0 percent from beyond the arc.
The Blue & Gold will continue their two game WAC road swing when they head to Las Cruces, N.M., to take on New Mexico State at 7 p.m. in the Pan American Center.
“We can't underestimate anyone we play and whichever team comes in each night ready to play is the team that is going to win,” Nezianya added. “Knowing that the first four minutes sets the tone for the game, we have to come out ready to play.”
