Kansas City
5-6,2-3Summit League
Western Illinois University
3-11,2-4Summit League
Roos Fall to Western Illinois on the Road
1/16/2021 7:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
RaVon Nero and Naomie Alnatas scored 18 each, but KC's comeback efforts were not enough
MACOMB, Ill. - RaVon Nero scored a season-high 18 points, but Kansas City women's basketball's (5-6, 2-3) comeback efforts fell short against Western Illinois (3-11, 2-4), 82-76.
After trading buckets in the first few minutes of the game, the Leathernecks turned up their offensive intensity, dropping 23 points in the first quarter. WIU led by as many as nine, but Taylor Larson scored all six of her points in the first ten minutes and the Leatherneck lead was 23-17 going into the quarter break.
Foul trouble hurt Kansas City throughout the game, and Western Illinois was able to establish an inside presence. In the first half alone, WIU outscored the Roos 22-10 in the paint, ending the game with 38 points from inside the lane.
RaVon Nero was Kansas City's most consistent offensive producer in the first three quarters, scoring 17 of her 18 points. She nailed three shots from beyond the three-point line, setting a career-high from long range. She also surpassed her season-high for the second game in a row after scoring 15 in yesterday's victory.
Kansas City cut into Western Illinois' lead in the third frame, knocking down four three-point shots and shooting 50% from the field, and entered the fourth quarter with fire. A Lauren West triple with seven minutes remaining knotted the game up at 62-62, but the Leathernecks crept back out in front.
With three minutes remaining in the game, and WIU leading by four, Naomie Alnatas nailed a pull-up jumper to draw the Roos within two points. Kansas City stopped the Leathernecks on the ensuing possession, and Alnatas calmly dropped a three to give Kansas City its first lead of the game at 72-71.
Unfortunately for the Roos, foul trouble caught up. Three Roos, including Nero, fouled out in the final two minutes, and Western Illinois closed the game on a 10-3 win to earn the weekend split.
Kansas City will use the week to regroup before traveling to Oral Roberts for games at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 23 and Sunday, Jan. 24.
