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Kansas City
9-8,2-1WAC
UT Rio Grande Valley
6-9,1-1WAC
Women's Basketball Overcomes Deficit to Defeat Vaqueros
1/9/2020 11:14:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Roos Light up the Scoreboard for 38 Second Half Points; Soriano Logs Fourth-Straight Double-Double
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Belief and toughness. Those are two words that Kansas City Women's Basketball Coach Jacie Hoyt has keyed in on for her team, and they were both needed in Thursday's knock down, grind out win over UTRGV. The Roos took some punches, but battled from a 14-point halftime deficit to defeat the Vaqueros, 60-56.Â
"You just have to believe," Hoyt said. "You work hard, and good things will happen."
The Roos had to fight through the bad to make it to the good. The offensive struggles from last Saturday's 62-41 defeat at the hands of Utah Valley carried into Thursday, and after jumping out to a 6-0 lead, the Roos went dry for the next 5:15. An Ericka Mattingly and-one ended the drought, but the damage had been done. UTRGV entered the quarter break with an 18-9 lead, holding Kansas City to 4-of-16 shooting.
The Roos were able to stay competitive with their ability to force turnovers. They caused the Vaqueros to cough the ball up nine times in the first half, converting it into 10 points.Â
"Our shots weren't falling for us in the first half," Mattingly said. "When we focus on the defensive end and get that momentum, it really helps us offensively."
In the third quarter, a flip switched for the offense. After missing all four of their three-point attempts in the first half, the bucket opened up and Kansas City took advantage. Awal Ajak connected on three triples, Mattingly added one of her own, and the Roos poured in 24 points in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to three going into the final frame.
"It's hard to beat a team that never gives up, so that's what we've been preaching to them," Hoyt said. "Just don't stop believing in what you're capable of doing; stick together."
The fourth quarter was a back and forth affair, with five lead changes and a tie. Jonaie Johnson gave Kansas City the lead for good with 1:31 remaining, but the defining moment came over a minute later. With the Roos still leading by just two with nine seconds remaining, Cristina Soriano missed the front end of two free shots. Her second one jarred off of the back of the rim as well, but none other than Ericka Mattingly was there to secure an offensive rebound.
The rebound is all the more impressive when you consider that Mattingly did not start in the marked lane spaces. She tracked the shot from outside of the three-point arc, soaring into the lane to pull it down. Mattingly knocked down both of her free throws to ice the game and lead the Roos to victory.
"When I'm normally at the top (of the arc), I just sit back and watch everybody else rebound," she said. "This time I was like, 'I'm not going to just sit up here,' so I went to go rebound the ball regardless of if she made it or not."
The toughness that Hoyt has pushed so strongly proved to be the deciding factor, as Kansas City held the Vaqueros scoreless for the final 3:48. After shooting 46.2% in the first half, UTRGV made just seven field goals in the final 20 minutes, hitting just 25.9% of their second half shots.
Soriano continued her tear that began a week and a half ago against USAO, compiling 14 points and 11 rebounds for her fourth straight double-double. On top of this, she dished out a career-high six assists, punishing the Vaqueros whenever they brought a double team.
"If I start the game by being aggressive, they help more off of me and it leaves my teammates open," Soriano said. "I'm just going to get them the ball."
The work is not finished for the Roos, they will be back in action on Saturday against the Western Athletic Conference's preseason favorite, the New Mexico State Aggies. The Aggies have began the season 3-10, but have opened up WAC play at 2-0.
"They're still New Mexico State; they have a confidence and a swagger to them," Hoyt said. "We're definitely, definitely looking forward to the challenge."
Game Notes
The 14-point come-from-behind victory was the largest deficit that the Roos have erased since coming back from 16-behind against SIU-E on Dec. 20, 2018 … Cristina Soriano's four-straight double-doubles is the longest streak since Kim Nezianya averaged 24.3 points and 15.7 rebounds over a six game stretch during the 2013-14 season … Ericka Mattingly drew nine fouls on the night, tying her season-high (Loyola Chicago) … The combination of Soriano, Ajak, Mattingly and Johnson scored 56 of the Roos' 60 points … The Roos committed 16 turnovers, nearly four below the Vaquero's season average of 19.9 turnovers forced per game … After scoring 17 points in the first half, UTRGV's Trelynn Tyler was held scoreless in the second … Kansas City moves to 6-0 on the year when out-rebounding its opponent
