Kansas City
16-10,9-3WAC
CSU Bakersfield
14-10,6-5WAC
Roos Stifle Bakersfield Defensively in Bounce Back Win
2/15/2020 5:52:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Kansas City Allows Lowest Score Against DI Opponent in Four Years
KANSAS CITY - As the old adage goes, "Defense wins championships." The Kansas City Women's Basketball team subscribes to that train of thought, and proved why the Roos are in the running for a Western Athletic Conference (WAC) championship today, defeating CSU Bakersfield, 58-43. The Roos have used that defense to command second place in the WAC, 2.5 games ahead of third, and will need it to continue as they chase Grand Canyon for the regular season championship.
FINAL | Big Bounce Back ??#KCRoos | #ROOUP | #DeclareKC | #KCcommitted pic.twitter.com/mHsOnqPHSC
— Kansas City Women's Basketball (@KCRoosWBB) February 15, 2020
The Roos held the 'Runners to 14 second half points, the best single-half performance from the Roos' defense all season. Bakersfield was able to manage just 17 field goal attempts in the final 20 minutes, connecting on just four.
"It was all about getting stops on defense, getting rebounds and executing and being smart with our time management on offense," Head Coach Jacie Hoyt said.
The 'Runners started the game hot from the field, jumping out to an 11-5 lead in the first four minutes and connecting on four of their first six three-point attempts. The Roos were able to clamp down the three-point line after the first quarter, holding Bakersfield to 3-of-13 shooting on triples from that point on.
Jonaie Johnson was an invaluable resource for Kansas City once again, scoring 14 points, pulling down six rebounds, and dishing three assists. Johnson's scoring consistency translates to team success, as the Roos are 9-0 this season when she reaches the double-digit mark.
Jonaie Johnson. The CEO. The Winner.
— Kansas City Women's Basketball (@KCRoosWBB) February 15, 2020
She finished with 14 points, six rebounds and three assists tonight, and @CoachJacie sounded off about the sophomore from Chicago ?????? pic.twitter.com/DLQMGgysFE
"(Johnson) is a winner, she wants to win," Hoyt said. "She's willing to do whatever it takes to win."
Kansas City dominated the glass, out-rebounding the Roadrunners by 16. Ericka Mattingly led the charge with a team-high eight rebounds, but every Roo that entered the game pulled down at least one board.
3Q | Taylor Larson - Grit Gal#KCRoos | #ROOUP | #DeclareKC | #KCcommitted pic.twitter.com/TWYv0R0YPI
— Kansas City Women's Basketball (@KCRoosWBB) February 15, 2020
"I'm really proud of everyone's buy-in to (rebounding)," Hoyt said. "We're such a good team when we can rebound."
Mattingly was honored before the game for surpassing the 1,000-career point mark, and continued adding to that total today. She scored a team-high 18, drawing nine total fouls and connecting on 8-of-9 free throw attempts. Mattingly has now scored at least 15 points in each of the Roos' last seven games.
2Q | GO TO WORK, ERICKA ??#KCRoos | #ROOUP | #DeclareKC | #KCcommitted pic.twitter.com/8DfQQKmRi0
— Kansas City Women's Basketball (@KCRoosWBB) February 15, 2020
"Coach Jacie always tells me to get downhill and play my game," Mattingly said. "That's what I do for the team."
The Roos' 43 points allowed ties a season-low, previously reached in a 74-43 win over USAO on Dec. 29. It is the least amount of points allowed to a Division I opponent in over four years, since a 64-43 victory over Seattle U on Feb 6, 2016.
Kansas City bounces back from Thursday's loss to Grand Canyon and avenges its Jan. 16 loss to Bakersfield by earning its first-ever win over the 'Runners in Kansas City.
The Roos are back on the road for one game next week, traveling to California Baptist for a matchup on Wednesday at 8 PM CT.
