Kansas City
1-1,0-0WAC
University of the Pacific
1-0,0-0WCC
Women's Basketball Can't Keep Pace in Loss to Pacific
11/9/2019 12:01:00 AM | Women's Basketball
STOCKTON, Calif. - The Kansas City women's basketball team played its second consecutive 2019 Postseason WNIT qualifying opponent to open up the 2019-20 season, but to a vastly different result than Tuesday's 83-79 win over Denver. The Roos opened Preseason WNIT play in Stockton, Calif. against the Pacific Tigers, where a sloppy second quarter dismantled the Roos chances and led to a 89-60 loss.
Kansas City held their own in the first frame, playing to an 18-18 draw behind the inside presence of Cristina Soriano. Turnovers consumed the Roos in the second quarter, however, and the Tigers used a 15-0 run to create separation and convert it into a 46-26 halftime advantage.
Pacific converted 23 Kansas City turnovers on the night into 36 points, accounting for a vast majority of the scoring differential. After dishing out 21 assists against Denver, the Roos only connected for six total against the Tigers.
"We knew we had to value the ball going into this game, and our team obviously didn't," Head Coach Jacie Hoyt said. "Our toughness has to be better. It was an unfortunate lesson that needed to be learned."
The Roos were able to use the deficit to give playing time to some of their role players. Mandy Willems came off the bench to score her first points in a Kansas City uniform, dropping nine points on 2-5 three point shooting. Tajah Foster-Walker, Lauren West and Taylor Larson were also able to give Hoyt valuable minutes, shooting a combined 67% from the field.
"I thought our bench came in and battled," Hoyt said. "It was a good opportunity to give them some minutes against a really quality team."
Emily Ivory followed up her season opening 20 point performance with a team-leading 14 points, shooting 4-7 from deep.
The Roos will be given their consolation Preseason WNIT matchup at the conclusion of first round play on Saturday.
