Kansas City Picks up Senior Day Win over Seattle U

Saturday, March 7

Kansas City, MO

2:00 PM

Kansas City

20-10,13-3WAC

Seattle U (Senior Day)

12-16,6-9WAC

Seattle U

Kansas City

Kansas City Picks up Senior Day Win over Seattle U

3/7/2020 5:26:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Final Box

Seniors combine for 36 points, 19 rebounds in victory

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City Women's Basketball (20-10, 13-3 WAC) held off a second half comeback attempt by Seattle U on Senior Day, defeating the Redhawks 68-65. The victory gives Kansas City 20 wins on the year, the first time since 2011-12 that the Roos have eclipsed that mark.

FINAL | Pulled out the dub.

2?0?#KCRoos | #ROOUP pic.twitter.com/0xIBKs8HMQ
— Kansas City Athletics (@KCRoosAthletics) March 7, 2020

"I knew it was important to continue the momentum and continue to play like we're the number one team in the conference," Head Coach Jacie Hoyt said. "Sometimes we did that today, sometime we didn't, but at the end of the day we won."

The seniors led the way for the Roos, as they have all season. Ericka Mattingly scored a team-high 16 points, nine of which came in the second half. Cristina Soriano poured in 10 second half points, ending with 12 to go along with six rebounds. Awal Ajak followed up a career game in the WAC-clinching victory over Utah Valley with an eight point, six rebound performance.

"This program, and the season that we're having mean so much to them," Hoyt said. "I think they really just wanted it so badly."

The Roos emerged with fire in the first half. They buried seven three pointers, including four by Naomie Alnatas. Alnatas broke double digits for the third time in the past four games, knocking home five-of-seven shots from the field for 14 points.

1Q | Mimie: 6?
Seattle U: 4?#ROOUP | #KCRoos pic.twitter.com/jpqiCT3b7W
— Kansas City Athletics (@KCRoosAthletics) March 7, 2020

"I just play with the feeling," Alnatas said. "The second quarter was really just a killer mindset, giving it everything."

In her second start in a row, Jada Mickens was a force to be reckoned with against the Redhawks. She dropped seven points, pulling down a team-high eight rebounds and taking a team-high three steals.

2Q | The threes are falling, we won't complain ??#ROOUP | #DeclareKC pic.twitter.com/IINaUuqXqO
— Kansas City Athletics (@KCRoosAthletics) March 7, 2020

"Jada, without a doubt, is playing her best basketball right now," Hoyt said.

The Roos entered the half with a 12-points lead, but the Redhawks caught fire in the third quarter. They hit seven three-pointers in that frame, but the Roos were hot from the field as well. Kansas City hit nine-of-18 field goal attempts, posting 25 points and keeping Seattle U at bay.

In the fourth quarter, the Roos did enough to pull out the victory. They continually went to Soraino on the inside, and pulled down five offensive rebounds, keeping possession after possession alive. Overall, the Roos dominated on the glass, pulling down 21 more rebounds than the Redhawks.

The win sends the Roos into the WAC Tournament on a five-game win streak, where they will play Chicago State in the quarterfinal round. Kansas City opens play on Wednesday at 2 p.m. CT, seeking its first-ever postseason conference championship.