Kansas City
Texas-Pan American
Kansas City Holds Off Broncs For Third Straight Win
2/15/2014 5:56:00 PM | Women's Basketball
(Kansas City, Mo.) – The Kansas City women's basketball team (10-14, 6-5) picked up its third straight victory after holding off Texas – Pan American (12-13, 6-6) in an back and forth WAC contest, beating the Broncs 87-84 on Saturday afternoon at the Swinney Recreation Center.
“Anytime your team plays with confidence, good things are going to happen,” Head Coach Marsha Frese said. “Our mindset needs to be that we expect to win against quality opponents and our seniors have definitely showed us what we are capable of. There is still a lot of basketball left to play that will determine seedings, but we have to take the confidence we have, build on it and get ready for postseason play.”
Seniors Eilise O'Connor and Kim Nezianya paced the 'Roos in the victory, as O'Connor finished with 31 points, including hitting 15-of-17 free throws, and five rebounds, while Nezianya picked up her third straight and 13th overall double-double with 26 points and 14 rebounds.
“This weekend was huge for our team,” O'Connor said. “We've known all along that we can compete with any team in our conference so it's rewarding to get two hard fought W's. It's a tremendous feeling knowing we beat two quality basketball teams without playing our best basketball. We will continue to improve and push ourselves until we reach that potential. I'm excited that we are continuing to improve in February.”
Freshman Grace Mitchell was the final 'Roo in double figures, finishing with 10 points and five rebounds, while freshman Calli White and sophomore Taylor Leathers each added eight.
The two teams both battled from the opening tip of a first half that featured nine ties and nine lead changes, with the 'Roos able to take a 39-37 lead into halftime.
Coming out of the break, the 'Roos opened up a four point cushion, but UTPA regained the advantage with five straight to take a 46-45 lead with 15:24 to play.
The lead would be short lived however, as UMKC reeled off the next eight points, getting the first three from O'Connor and the last five from Leathers.
The 'Roos, though would be unable to put the game away as the Broncs again fought back, this time tying the game at 57 midway through the second period.
Over the next six minutes of play, the two teams would be tied five more time with neither gaining more than a two point advantage until a 8-0 run by the 'Roos at the 2:25 mark turned a one-point lead into a nine point advantage at 82-73 with just 36 seconds left to play.
During the stretch, Mitchell opened the run with foul line jumper to beat the shot clock, while O'Connor followed with six straight free throw to extend the lead.
The Broncs would make a final charge over the last 30 seconds, but it was not enough as the Kangaroos held on for the 87-84 win.
As a team, the 'Roos scorched the nets, shooting 53.8 percent from the field, including 44.4 percent from beyond the arc, and 81.8 percent from the line, while out-rebounding UTPA 37-33.
In the game, O'Connor broke the WAC record for free throws in a season with 199, passing Wyoming's Amy Burnett who hit 194 during the 1993-94.
On the week, Nezianya averaged 32.0 points and 17.5 rebounds in a pair of victories.
The Blue & Gold will be back in action on Thursday when they head to Bakersfield, Calif., to take on Bakersfield in WAC play at 9 p.m. CT.
