Kansas City
6-6,3-3Summit League
Oral Roberts University
5-8,3-2Summit League
Alnatas Scorches ORU in OT Victory
1/23/2021 5:15:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Naomie Alnatas dropped 45 points; Jonaie Johnson and Paige Bradford each posted double-doubles in the win
TULSA, Okla. - Naomie Alnatas dissected the ORU defense for 45 points and Kansas City (6-6, 3-3) overcame a 13-point fourth quarter deficit to defeat the Golden Eagles (5-8, 3-2) in overtime, 101-93.
"I'm so proud of our team and the fight they continue to show when our backs are against the wall," Head Coach Jacie Hoyt said. "They really love each other and it has been reflected in the way that they play together."
Alnatas entered the game with a career-high of 23 points coming against SIU-Edwardsville last month. That mark was swiftly blown out of the water as she dropped 24 points on 10-of-12 shooting in the first half alone, entering the halftime break in a 46-46 tie. Her 24 first half points tied the program record for most in a single half, previously set by Broda Dickerson in 1988.
"Mimie was a special player today. She put the team on her back from start to finish," Hoyt said.
In the third quarter, the Golden Eagles began creating separation. They connected on 4-of-5 three point attempts on the quarter, creating a 72-62 edge entering the fourth. Alnatas scored just three points in the third quarter, and entering the final frame, no Roo had more than three rebounds.
For the first five minutes of the fourth, it seemed as if Oral Roberts might coast to victory. They extended their lead to as many as 13, holding an 11-point edge with 4:38 remaining.
Then, the Roos took over. It happened in a flurry, as Alnatas scored five-straight, Johnson got a steal and a basket, and Alnatas added four more to tie the game up at 78-78. The 11-0 run took just 2:17 of game time, setting up for a wild finish.
In all, Alnatas scored 14 fourth quarter points, helping to bring the Roos back and force overtime. Kansas City's defense allowed nothing, holding ORU to 2-of-13 shooting and out-rebounding the Golden Eagles 16-to-8.
The overtime period was controlled by the Roos from the jump, hurrying out to a four-point lead and knocking down their free throws down the stretch.
When all was said and done, Alnatas had scored 45 points, the second-highest mark in program history and the first 40-point game by a Roo since Dayon Hall-Jones dropped 43 against Oral Roberts on Dec. 31, 2011. The 45-point outing is also one of the finest in Summit League history, second only to the Golden Eagles' Keni Jo Lippe's 46-point performance against NDSU last season.
While the attention was focused on Alnatas's performance, Jonaie Johnson and Paige Bradford also quietly posted double-doubles. Johnson put up 12 points, 10 boards and seven assists for her first-career double-double, posting a career-high in the rebounding category. Bradford contributed with 14 points and 11 rebounds of her own for her fourth double-double of the year. The Roos are 4-0 on the season when Bradford reaches that mark.
"I thought Jonaie was excellent as a floor leader today," Hoyt said. "She helped facilitate a lot on both ends. She and Paige both had some huge rebounds down the stretch."
Kansas City moves to an even 6-6 on the year, with a chance for its first sweep of Summit League play on the line tomorrow as they take on the Golden Eagles again at 2 p.m.
