Kansas City
4-3,0-0WAC
George Mason
4-2,0-0Atlantic 10
Women's Basketball Executes Second Half Comeback over George Mason
11/26/2019 9:23:00 PM | Women's Basketball
FAIRFAX, Va. - Coming off of a tough double-overtime loss against Loyola Chicago at home on Friday, the Kansas City women's basketball team wanted to take one on the road from George Mason. It took a second straight 10-point second half comeback, but this time the Roos were able to seal the deal, defeating the Patriots 64-58.
"Our team did everything you have to do tonight to steal a road win. They played hard, played through adversity, and most of all stuck together as one unit," Head Coach Jacie Hoyt said.
Offense was hard to come by for the Roos in the first half, scoring only 22 points, their lowest scoring half of the season. Seven Roos made it into the scoring column, but none more than Mandy Willems's six points on 2-of-3 three point shooting. Besides Willems, Kansas City was held to 1-of-13 shooting from beyond the arc.
For the second game in a row, the Roos were hurt by offensive rebounding. They allowed the Patriots to pull down six offensive boards in the third quarter, at one point extending their lead to 10. Then, Kansas City's offense began to pick up, sparked by more selective three point shooting. They connected on three of their four triples in the quarter, and were able to draw back within five going into the fourth.
Jada Mickens brought energy to the fourth quarter from the very beginning, skipping a pass the width of the court to assist Ericka Mattingly on a three, and then posting back-to-back buckets of her own. Using the play of Mickens, who finished the game 11 points and 10 rebounds, her second double-double in a row, the Roos drew back even within the first two minutes of the quarter.
"Jada continues to make a difference for us," Hoyt said. "Her versatility offensively really helps us inside and outside."
After a season-low six-point output against Loyola and a two point first half, Emily Ivory stepped up for the Roos in the fourth. She was on the floor for all 10 minutes, dropping seven points, including a three-point basket to give Kansas City a five-point lead with 4:46 remaining, their largest lead of the game to that point. According to Hoyt, it was sparked by her play on the other end of the court.
"Emily was really active on defense tonight and that fueled her confidence on offense," she said. "She made some very timely shots for us. When she plays with that swagger on both ends of the floor we are all better for it."
The Roos were led by Mattingly's fourth 20-point performance of the season, 16 of which came in the second half. She facilitated Kansas City's offense, as they scored 1.33 more points per minute when she was on the court versus when she was on the bench.
Kansas City is back in action on Sunday, taking on Missouri State, who is currently receiving votes in the NCAA Associated Press polls.
Game Notes
The Roos held the Patriots 13 points below their season average of 71.2 points per game … Lowest amount of points scored in a win since 59-47 victory over Chicago State on March 3, 2018 … Cristina Soriano tied a career-high with four blocks … Jada Mickens has posted back-to-back double-doubles, first for a Roo since Ericka Mattingly last season against Seattle U and Utah Valley … Roos held Nicole Cardaño-Hillary to three points after she erupted for 41 against Penn State … Mattingly had six of the Roos' 12 assists … Kansas City's first win of the season where they were out-assisted by opponent (15-12)
