Kansas City
5-5,2-2Summit League
Western Illinois University
2-11,1-4Summit League
Roos Use Balanced Attack to Beat WIU
1/15/2021 7:21:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Five Roos scored in double-digits, Jonaie Johnson dished out 10 assists in the win
MACOMB, Ill. - Five Roos (5-5, 2-2) scored in double digits, including a career-high 10-point performance from Lauren West en route to a commanding 78-64 victory over Western Illinois (2-11, 1-4) on Friday evening.
"I'm really proud of this win because I thought it showed great character to bounce back the way that we did after last week's games," Head Coach Jacie Hoyt said. "Our team really locked in on making the necessary changes, and their hard work paid off tonight."
A Taylor Larson layup three minutes into the game broke a 5-5 tie, and Kansas City led for the rest of the game. Shot a blazing 48.4% from the field, their highest shooting percentage since Summit League play began.
West, who had not appeared in a game since the Dec. 24 matchup with Kansas State and had not scored a point on the season entering tonight's game, started her scoring off as time ran down in the second quarter, knocking down a buzzer beating three to give the Roos an eight-point lead entering the half. She carried that shot into the second half, scoring seven more points to set a new career-high.
"Lauren has had about the worst luck possible," Hoyt said. "It was great to finally get her back and get into the groove of things."
Jada Mickens, in her fourth start this year, set season-highs in all three major stat categories. The senior scored 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting, pulled down eight rebounds and dished six assists.
Paige Bradford notched her third double-double of the year, scoring 14 points and gathering 11 rebounds. Kansas City had a 15-point lead chipped down to two with under a minute to play, but Bradford scored four of KC's next six points to give the Roos some cushion.
Jonaie Johnson posted one of the best performances of her career, scoring six points and adding a career-high nine rebounds and 10 assists. It was the first double-digit assist performance by a Roo since Ericka Mattingly posted 11 against Utah Valley in the 2018-19 season.
RaVon Nero scored a season-high 15 points, adding a pair of steals as well. Naomie Alnatas added 12 points, Mandy Willems had six and Larson scored four to round out Kansas City's offensive efforts.
"This was a great team win, with everyone contributing in their own way," Hoyt said.
Kansas City will attempt the sweep over the Leathernecks tomorrow at 4:30 on the Leatherneck All-Access Network.
