Kansas City Shoots Well, But Falls in OT at Grand Canyon

Thursday, February 13

Phoenix, Ariz.

8:00 PM

Kansas City

12-14,4-7WAC

Grand Canyon

11-13,6-4WAC

OT 1

Kansas City

Grand Canyon

Kansas City Shoots Well, But Falls in OT at Grand Canyon

2/13/2020 10:29:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Final Box

Rob Whitfield leads three Roos in double figures with 13

PHOENIX – Kansas City pushed Grand Canyon to the limit tonight in conference men's basketball action, but fell short in overtime by a 71-66 score. The Roos hung tough thanks in part to 46-percent shooting and a deep bench, out-scoring the Lopes 31-18 in that category. The senior duo of Rob Whitfield (13 points) and Javan White (10 points) were the high point off the bench.

Kansas City stays on the west coast for a Saturday meeting with CSU Bakersfield at 9 p.m. CT.

The Roos looked to be in the driver's seat up by a six-point cushion (59-53) with 2:29 remaining in regulation. But the Lopes scored eight of the final 10 points to force the game into overtime.

The game was defined by each team responding to the other team's scoring runs. There were 14 ties and nine lead changes and the largest advantage was Kansas City holding a 34-26 edge early in the second half.

Behind seven first-half points from sophomore Franck Kamgain, Kansas City took a 32-26 half-time lead. As a team, the Roos shot 52 percent from the field and had just four turnovers. After falling behind 17-12, Kamgain's lay-up ignited a 20-9 run that put the visitor's up at the half for the fifth time in the last six games.

Senior Jordan Giles' basket within the first minute of the second half handed the Roos their largest lead, which would stay at eight points on a pair of his free throws one minute later. But Grand Canyon's Lorenzo Jenkins tied the score up at 36-36 at the 14:19 mark and from there, it was a nip-and-tuck contest.

Again, it was Jenkins a few minutes later as he put the Lopes up 48-42 with 11 minutes remaining. But, the Roos again had a counter courtesy of Giles and Whitfield. Giles scored six-straight points to spark a 17-5 run, which was capped by Whitfield's bucket at the 2:29 mark.

The Lopes used their momentum from regulation to take control in the overtime. Carlos Johnson made two free throws with three minutes left in overtime and Grand Canyon held on from there.

Giles had a strong second half with 12 points. Freshman Josiah Allick posted a team-high seven rebounds. Senior Jahshire Hardnett had a Roo-best six assists, to go along with six points.

For Grand Canyon, Jovan Blacksher Jr., had a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Alessandro Lever gathered a game-high 18 points and added eight boards.

Quick Hitters:
•   Seven of nine Roo players tonight scored at least five points.
•   Entering the game, Kansas City ranked second in the league in steals (8.0). Tonight, the Roos posted nine.
•   With 12 points tonight, Jordan Giles moves up to No. 17 on the career scoring list with 888.
•   Rob Whitfield had a trio of three-pointers against Grand Canyon. He now has nailed two-or-more three pointers in 13 of his last 14 games.
•   Grand Canyon owned a 28-3 scoring advantage at the free throw line.