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Kansas City
14-9,7-2WAC
UT Rio Grande Valley
9-13,4-5WAC
Soriano Posts Career-Highs in Rebounds & Assists in Victorious Effort
2/6/2020 9:45:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Soriano Logs Eighth Double-Double: Mattingly Dishes Season-High Nine Assists in Win
EDINBURG, Texas - When the Kansas City women's basketball team (14-9, 7-2) took on UTRGV (9-13, 4-5) on Jan. 9, the Roos had to claw back from a 14-point halftime deficit to come away with a victory. No major comeback was needed for the Roos this time around, as they trampled the Vaqueros, 72-58.
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FINAL | Dominant ?? pic.twitter.com/Wli1AfU9O5
— Kansas City Women's Basketball (@KCRoosWBB) February 7, 2020
UTRGV had no match for Cristina Soriano, as the 6'5 Spaniard pulled down 15 rebounds and dished out seven assists, both career-highs, to go along with 12 points. It was Soriano's eighth double-double effort of the year, a team-high.
"Cristina totally dominated tonight," Head Coach Jacie Hoyt said. "She continues to gain confidence and understand how to use her size on both ends of the floor. She did it all tonight."
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3Q | Just another day at the office for Cristina ?????
— Kansas City Women's Basketball (@KCRoosWBB) February 7, 2020
11 points, 14 rebounds already ??#KCRoos | #ROOUP | #DeclareKC | #KCcommitted pic.twitter.com/PpXXtcq1nr
The Vaqueros scored on their first four trips down the floor to take a 9-2 lead, but the Roos' defense took over from that point. Kansas City used the next 7:05 to go on a 24-3 run, leaving UTRGV in the dust.Â
Ericka Mattingly, fresh off of a 21 point, six assist game against Chicago State last weekend, distributed the ball as well as she has this season. She was efficient from the field, scoring 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting, and dished out a season-high nine assists.
"Ericka played at a great pace tonight," Hoyt said. "I thought her poise and composure were the best I've seen all year in taking what the defense gave her and finding the open man."
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2Q | A lesson in getting to the bucket by Ericka Mattingly ??#KCRoos | #ROOUP | #DeclareKC | #KCcommitted pic.twitter.com/f9mJbn5oYa
— Kansas City Women's Basketball (@KCRoosWBB) February 7, 2020
Emily Ivory was hot from behind the arc once again, splashing four three pointers for 12 points. Ivory has knocked down at least three triples in each of Kansas City's last six games, five of which were wins. She was also active in the passing lanes, looting the Vaqueros three times, tying a career-high.
When these teams met up in January, the Roos gave the ball away 16 times, resulting in 19 Vaquero points. Tonight, Kansas City was ready to face a frenetic defense, affording the Vaqueros just nine giveaways.
"We worked all week in practice on playing against the type of pressure we would see on this road trip," Hoyt said. "We have an awesome group of practice guys that contributed to our success tonight."
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4Q | Tajah is FEELING it ?? She's got eight points in the quarter, bringing her to 14 on the game#KCRoos | #ROOUP | #DeclareKC | #KCcommitted pic.twitter.com/wY34NEVhD6
— Kansas City Women's Basketball (@KCRoosWBB) February 7, 2020
Tajah Foster-Walker caught fire in the fourth quarter, scoring eight of her 14 points in the first four minutes of the frame. Her final field goal gave the Roos a 30-point lead with just over six minutes remaining, and the Roos were able to coast from there.
With the season sweep of the Vaqueros complete, the Roos turn their focus to New Mexico State, who they will clash with on Saturday. Kansas City will be looking for its first-ever season sweep of the Aggies.
