Saturday, February 15
Bakersfield, Calif.
9:00 PM
Kansas City
13-14,5-7WAC
59
at
53
CSU Bakersfield
11-15,5-6WAC
1
2
F
Kansas City
25
34
59
CSU Bakersfield
23
30
53
McKissic's 20 points and Roos' Defense Lead to Road Win
2/15/2020 11:21:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Kansas City Men's Basketball (13-14, 5-7) built an 11-point lead under three minutes remaining and held on for a 59-53 victory at CSU Bakersfield (11-15, 5-6) tonight in conference play at the Icardo Center. Entering tonight, the KC defense ranked second in the conference in scoring defense and the unit proved their worth holding the 'Runners to their second-lowest scoring output, second only to 49 points scored against No. 8 Gonzaga back on Nov. 23.
The Roos' defense limited the CSU Bakersfield 3-point shooters to 1-of-11 (.091) and 19-of-48 overall (.396) from the field.
Kansas City snaps a five-game road losing streak in Bakersfield and posts the first road win in the series since Jan. 25, 2014.
Junior Brandon McKissic made 8-of-9 field goals en route to his second 20-point effort of the year – his first since a career-high 27 in the season-opener – to lead the Roos. Senior Rob Whitfield added 15 points, backed by his three triples, and senior Jordan Giles complimented the team with 10 points.
"I'm really proud of our guys to respond the way they did after Thursday's loss. They showed their character and resiliency to come here and win a very important game for us," said head coach Billy Donlon. "For Rob and Brandon to play like they did and shoot the ball well offensively is a big key in this win."
CSU Bakersfield, who snapped a four-game losing streak on Thursday with a victory against Chicago State, fired out to a 7-0 lead. Whitfield's three-point basket at the 16:56 mark ignited a 14-6 Kansas City run to put the visitors up 14-13.
After the team's traded baskets, Whitfield again was the centerpiece to the Roo offense. His triple started a 9-6 mini-run to put Kansas City up 25-23 at the half. And from that point, Kansas City never trailed in the game.
The pivotal stretch for the Roos was the start of the second half. The Kansas City defense locked down and showed their toughness out of the locker room. The Runners couldn't break through on the offensive end, scoring just six points in the first 11 minute of the second half. At that point, Kansas City led 36-30.
Eventually, CSU Bakersfield whittled the lead down to four points on several occasions and, after two Justin Edler-Davis' free throws, the 'Runners were down by just two at 55-53 with 15 seconds remaining. But, McKissic and senior Jahshire Hardnett each made a pair of free throws for the final margin.
Senior Javan White, saddled with foul trouble much of the game, was a key part of the final stretch. His pair of free throws at the 2:38 mark gave the Roos their largest lead of the game at 53-42. He eventually finished with a team-high seven rebounds. He entered the contest fourth in the WAC in overall rebounding and now has led the team 14 times this year in rebounding.
Greg Lee was the only 'Runner in double-figures with 13 poins.
The Roos next host California Baptist on Wednesday at 7 p.m. from the Swinney Center.
Quick Hitters
•   Kansas City held a half-time lead for the sixth time in the last seven games.
•   The Roos' defense now has held 11 opponents to under 40 percent shooting. Tonight, the 'Runners finished at 39.6 percent.
•   The 53 points allowed by Kansas City is the second fewest this year against a Division I opponent.
•   Finishing the game 11-of-13 from the foul line (.846), the Roos were much better than their 67.6 season free throw percentage.
•   Kansas City moves to 8-0 this year when holding the opposition to 60-or-fewer points.
•   With three long-range bombs tonight, Rob Whitfield now has connected for at least two treys in 14 of his last 15 games. He stands second in the conference with 2.4 made 3-pointer's per game
The Roos' defense limited the CSU Bakersfield 3-point shooters to 1-of-11 (.091) and 19-of-48 overall (.396) from the field.
Kansas City snaps a five-game road losing streak in Bakersfield and posts the first road win in the series since Jan. 25, 2014.
Junior Brandon McKissic made 8-of-9 field goals en route to his second 20-point effort of the year – his first since a career-high 27 in the season-opener – to lead the Roos. Senior Rob Whitfield added 15 points, backed by his three triples, and senior Jordan Giles complimented the team with 10 points.
"I'm really proud of our guys to respond the way they did after Thursday's loss. They showed their character and resiliency to come here and win a very important game for us," said head coach Billy Donlon. "For Rob and Brandon to play like they did and shoot the ball well offensively is a big key in this win."
CSU Bakersfield, who snapped a four-game losing streak on Thursday with a victory against Chicago State, fired out to a 7-0 lead. Whitfield's three-point basket at the 16:56 mark ignited a 14-6 Kansas City run to put the visitors up 14-13.
After the team's traded baskets, Whitfield again was the centerpiece to the Roo offense. His triple started a 9-6 mini-run to put Kansas City up 25-23 at the half. And from that point, Kansas City never trailed in the game.
The pivotal stretch for the Roos was the start of the second half. The Kansas City defense locked down and showed their toughness out of the locker room. The Runners couldn't break through on the offensive end, scoring just six points in the first 11 minute of the second half. At that point, Kansas City led 36-30.
Eventually, CSU Bakersfield whittled the lead down to four points on several occasions and, after two Justin Edler-Davis' free throws, the 'Runners were down by just two at 55-53 with 15 seconds remaining. But, McKissic and senior Jahshire Hardnett each made a pair of free throws for the final margin.
Senior Javan White, saddled with foul trouble much of the game, was a key part of the final stretch. His pair of free throws at the 2:38 mark gave the Roos their largest lead of the game at 53-42. He eventually finished with a team-high seven rebounds. He entered the contest fourth in the WAC in overall rebounding and now has led the team 14 times this year in rebounding.
Greg Lee was the only 'Runner in double-figures with 13 poins.
The Roos next host California Baptist on Wednesday at 7 p.m. from the Swinney Center.
Quick Hitters
•   Kansas City held a half-time lead for the sixth time in the last seven games.
•   The Roos' defense now has held 11 opponents to under 40 percent shooting. Tonight, the 'Runners finished at 39.6 percent.
•   The 53 points allowed by Kansas City is the second fewest this year against a Division I opponent.
•   Finishing the game 11-of-13 from the foul line (.846), the Roos were much better than their 67.6 season free throw percentage.
•   Kansas City moves to 8-0 this year when holding the opposition to 60-or-fewer points.
•   With three long-range bombs tonight, Rob Whitfield now has connected for at least two treys in 14 of his last 15 games. He stands second in the conference with 2.4 made 3-pointer's per game
Team Stats
KC
CSUB
FG%
.457
.396
3FG%
.333
.091
FT%
.846
.667
RB
21
33
TO
14
14
STL
5
4
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
20
FGM
8
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Pts
15
FGM
6
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
7
FGM
1
3FGM
1
FTM
4
Players Mentioned
F
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