Five Things To Know vs. UTRGV

Thursday, February 6

Edinburg, TX

7:00 PM

Kansas City

UT Rio Grande Valley

Five Things To Know vs. UTRGV

2/5/2020 11:09:00 AM | Women's Basketball

Live Stats Game Notes

Roos Travel to Edinburg on Thursday at 7

Live Stats | Stream

EDINBURG, Texas – Kansas City Women's Basketball (13-9, 6-2) is riding its longest winning streak of the season thus far to Edinburg, Texas for a matchup with UT Rio Grande Valley (9-12, 4-4). Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the UTRGV Fieldhouse. The game marks the start of the second half of Western Athletic Conference (WAC) play.

The Roos find themselves atop the conference standings midway through WAC play, sitting in a tie with Grand Canyon at 6-2. They need four wins in the second round to give the program its third-straight season of improvement in conference play. Kansas City has yet to win a conference title.
After scoring 614 points in her first season in the Roos' uniform last year, senior Ericka Mattingly has averaged 15.2 points per game through this season's first 22 games, putting her at 949 career points.
Kansas City began the season 6-7, but has since gone on a tear, winning seven of its last nine games. In the seven wins, the Roos have won by an average of 15.3 points per game and have held their opponents to 55.9 points.
The Roos have been a defensive force this season, holding opponents under 70 points in 15-of-22 games. When they have their way defensively, it generally translates to success, posting a 12-3 record.
In Kansas City's last two games, wins over California Baptist and Chicago State, the Roos led wire-to-wire. In fact, they have not trailed since Jan. 18, in the second quarter of a win over Grand Canyon.

Last Time Out: Kansas City def. Chicago State, 73-57

Mattingly had a big-time game, leading the Roos in points (21), assists (6) and steals (7). It marked the third time this season that Mattingly has taken seven steals in a single game.
Taylor Larson played after missing the previous four games due to injury and made her presence known, pulling down a career-high 10 rebounds.
Emily Ivory knocked down four triples, giving her five-straight games with at least three buckets from behind the arc.

Last Time against UT Rio Grande Valley: Kansas City won, 60-56

After trailing by 14 points going into half, the Roos poured in 24 points in the third quarter, held the Vaqueros to 20 second half points, and came away with their biggest come-from-behind victory since Dec. 20, 2018.
Cristina Soriano was in the midst of a six-game double-double stretch, posting 14 points and 11 rebounds. That effort, along with a 15 point, 10 rebound line against NM State later in the week, earned her first career WAC Player of the Week award.
The Roos held UTRGV's Trelynn Tyler scoreless in the second half after allowing 17 points in the first half.
Soriano, Mattingly, Awal Ajak and Jonaie Johnson combined for 56 of the Roos' 60 points.

All-Time Series vs UT Rio Grande Valley

The Roos hold an 8-9 all-time record against the Vaqueros, including a 6-9 mark as WAC opponents.
Kansas City's largest margin of victory came on Feb. 22, 2018, when the Roos drubbed UTRGV, 79-59. Kristen Moore and Aries Washington combined for 21 points apiece in the win.
The Roos are 3-4 against the Vaqueros when playing them on the road. Last season, the Vaqueros won a 67-64 decision in Edinburg.
Jacie Hoyt is 3-2 against UTRGV, trading season sweeps in her first two years as Kansas City's head coach before the Jan. 9 victory.