Kansas City
8-8,1-1WAC
Utah Valley
5-9,2-0WAC
Women's Basketball Can't Find Offense in Loss to Utah Valley
1/4/2020 5:38:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Soriano Posts Third-Straight Double-Double; Roos shoot 9% from Downtown
OREM, Utah - After their fourth highest scoring output of the season in a conference opening win at Seattle U on Thursday, Kansas City couldn't find the basket against Utah Valley, falling 62-41. The Roos finished shooting at a 25.4% clip and connected on just two-of-22 three point attempts.
"We were not ourself today," Head Coach Jacie Hoyt said. "We didn't play with the toughness and energy that you have to have to win on the road."
The first quarter was a preview of what was to come for the Roos, as Kansas City made just one field goal in the first 10 minutes, a Cristina Soriano lay-in. The good news for the Roos was that the Wolverines were not much better, scoring just 10 points. Utah Valley closed the first quarter with a six-point lead, 10-4.
Kansas City stayed with the Wolverines in the second quarter, with the help of four points apiece from Jonaie Johnson and Awal Ajak. Ajak opened second quarter scoring with a layup at the 7:52 mark, breaking a 10:18 streak without a field goal for the Roos. Utah Valley created some separation, but a Johnson pull-up jumper at the buzzer would keep the deficit at six.
The Roos hit on just six field goals in the first half, finding the most success when ball movement was high. They assisted on five of those field goals, led by Ericka Mattingly with two.
Kansas City was able to stay in the game by playing staunch defense, denying four Wolverine shots in the first half, including three blocks from Soriano. Utah Valley would adjust at the half, however, and the Roos were unable to block another shot for the rest of the game.
The Roos opened up the third quarter on a 5-0 run, cutting the deficit to one on a strong and-one by Soriano. After a couple of minutes of back-and-forth play, the Wolverines would find their offense, closing the quarter on a 13-3 run.
Kansas City had trouble fighting from behind, and Utah Valley made their charity shots when it counted. The Wolverines finished the day a perfect 22-of-22 from the free throw line, including hitting 14-of-14 one-pointers in the fourth quarter.
Cristina Soriano was the only Roo to finish the game with double-digit scoring, posting her third straight, and fourth career double-double. She put up 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting, adding 11 rebounds.
"Cristina has been so tough for us. She is playing with great confidence and doing everything we have asked of her," Hoyt said.
All in all, the Wolverines had the rebounding edge against the Roos. Utah Valley finished +11 on the boards, pulling down 13 on the offensive end.
Kansas City (8-8, 1-1 WAC) will come back home for its first games of the new year in the Swinney Center, taking on UTRGV on Thursday evening before playing host to New Mexico State on Saturday.
Game Notes
The 41-point performance was the lowest scoring game of the year for Kansas City (previously: 44 vs. Liberty) … For the first time in her Kansas City career, the Roos lost when Cristina Soriano posted a double-double. They were 3-0 in such games up to today … Soriano is the only Roo so far this season with three-straight double-doubles … The Roos made just two three pointers on the day, a season low … Emily Ivory finished with a career-high six rebounds, besting her previous high of four … The Roos scored over half of their points in the paint (24/41)
