Kansas City
4-6,0-1Summit League
University of North Dakota
2-8,1-0Summit League
Allick's Double-Double Not Enough Against North Dakota
1/2/2021 6:47:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Josiah Allick finished with a team-high 14 points and 11 boards, but the Fighting Hawks eked out the victory
GRAND FORKS, N.D. - Kansas City Men's Basketball (4-6, 0-1) received a double-double effort from Josiah Allick and 13 points from Marvin Nesbitt Jr. in his return from injury, but the Roos did not have enough to take down North Dakota (2-8, 1-0) in the Summit League opener.
"We made too many controllable mistakes," Head Coach Billy Donlon said. "We didn't play selfless on offense and you can't do that on the road against a quality team in conference play."
The first half was a battle on the defensive end, with neither team shooting above 30-percent from the field. Kansas City did not score its first bucket until the 15:18 mark, a bunny from Allick in the lane.
Allick led the Roos through the first 20 minutes, posting a team-high six points and seven rebounds. He kept that pace through the second half as well, leading the team in both categories. Allick finished with 14 points and 11 boards, his second double-double on the season.
The Roos kept the game tight with hard-nosed defense, forcing the Fighting Hawks into eight turnovers and 1-of-9 three point shooting in the first half. Kansas City entered the break with a five-point deficit.
Both offenses began to find their stride in the second half, each shooting above 40-percent in the final frame. The Fighting Hawks stretched out a 35-27 lead in the first ten minutes, but the Roos came thundering back, led by Nesbitt Jr.
Kansas City failed to convert on a single three-pointer in the first half, but Nesbitt Jr. was left wide open on two possessions and knocked down a pair of shots from beyond the arc. That, paired with a couple of buckets by Allick brought the game back even at 37-37. The two triples from Nesbitt proved to be the only long-range shots that the Roos would convert on all game.
The tie game would not last for long, as the Fighting Hawks came right back down to take the lead on a layup by Filip Rebraca, who finished with a game-high 16 points. UND extended the lead back to five on a Hail Mary three by Tyree Ihenacho.
The Roos were able to cut the Fighting Hawks' lead down to two points twice more in the remainder of the game, but were never able to complete the comeback.
Kansas City will have another chance at North Dakota tomorrow afternoon, as the teams complete their weekend series at 3:30 p.m. The game will be streamed live on MidCo Sports Network 2 and ESPN+.
