Kansas City
Seattle University
'Roos Cut 19 Point Deficit To One But Fall To Seattle U In WAC Quarterfinals
3/12/2014 11:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
(Las Vegas, Nev.) – The Kanas City women's basketball team (11-19) trimmed a 19-point second half deficit to one late in the game on two separate occasions but could not complete the comeback, falling 81-76 to Seattle U (15-15) in the quarterfinals of the WAC Tournament at the Orleans Arena.
“I'm really proud of how we battled,” Head Coach Marsha Frese said. “When we got down 19 points, we could have packed it in, but they refused to quit. That's been the hallmark of this team. Give Seattle a ton of credit. They have been in this position before and you can see that experience down the stretch with their three seniors.”
Senior Kim Nezianya led the 'Roos in the offense, closing out the season with her 18th double-double, scoring 25 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, while classmate Eilise O'Connor finished her last game in the Blue & Gold with 22 points, five rebounds and three assists.
The 'Roos fell behind early in the contest 11-4, but used a 9-1 run to take their first lead of the game at 13-12.
The Redhawks would regain the lead, but Taylor Leathers' baseline jumper with just under seven minutes left in the first put the 'Roos back in front 21-19.
The lead, however was short-lived and, after reclaiming the lead, Seattle closed the half on a 9-0 run to take a 42-30 lead into halftime.
Coming out of the break, Seattle quickly stretched its lead to a game-high 19 with just over 16 minutes left to play, but at that point the 'Roos would begin their comeback with four straight points from O'Connor.
Nezianya cut the lead to 13 with a jumper, but the Redhawks answered and increased the gap to 17 at the 8:25 mark.
Lauren Dudding, however, brought the 'Roos to within nine at 61-52 over the next minute of play as the sophomore nailed two threes and had a steal and layup during the stretch.
“I think when you're down that amount of points it's one possession at a time,” Frese continued. “You've got to get stops and you have to execute on offense. We just tried to be a little more patient on the offense and defensively we got some great stops. I think Lauren Dudding coming in off the bench had some great energy for us.”
Kansas City followed with baskets from Leathers, Nezianya and O'Connor and a free throw by Nezianya, putting them on a 15-0 run that trimmed the margin to just two with 4:36 on the clock.
The two teams would trade baskets on their next possessions, but the Redhawks pushed the lead back to six with 2:53 on the clock.
UMKC, though, answered right back with a field goal from Nezianya and three from freshman Calli White to pull the score to 67-66.
Five straight from SU again put the lead at six, but O'Connor and White each hit threes around two Seattle free throws slicing the lead back to one with just 24 seconds left in the game.
The 'Roos, though, would add just one more free throw down the stretch, while Seattle hit 9-of-10 under the one minute mark to escape with the 81-76 victory.
“Of course basketball has its ups and downs and this is one of those downs,” O'Connor said. “I wouldn't change any of it for the world up to this point. I'm very thankful for my experience.”
“I was really lucky to be in Kansas City and play under two really great coaches,” Nezianya added. “It's the best choice I have ever made in my life.”
“I feel great about where these three seniors have left us,” Frese concluded. “There is a different level of expectation in this program and that's why games like this hurt so much.”
