Kansas City
7-8,4-5Summit League
North Dakota State University
12-4,7-3Summit League
Nero's 28 Not Enough as Roos Fall to Bison
1/30/2021 4:57:00 PM | Women's Basketball
RaVon Nero tied her career-high with 28 points, but NDSU used a strong fourth quarter to win
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Despite a career-high-tying 28 points from RaVon Nero, Kansas City (7-8, 4-5) could not overcome a 39-point second half from North Dakota State (12-4, 7-3), falling 68-65.
"It's a tough loss, under the circumstances," Head Coach Jacie Hoyt said. "I wish that more things could have been in our favor, in terms of the uncontrollables, but I thought that our kids did a good job with what they could control."
The Roos were without Naomie Alnatas, who was out after suffering an injury in the closing minutes of Friday's win. Kansas City looked to Nero to fill the leading scorer's shoes in Alnatas's absence. Nero had one of her most efficient games as a Roo, finishing 8-of-12 from the field on 5-of-7 three-point shooting. She finished with 28 points, tying her career-high previously reached in her freshman year at Northwestern State.
"That's the player that we brought (Nero) here to be," Hoyt said. "She has been at times, but she's been inconsistent. It was good to get her going again."
Kansas City received solid minutes off of the bench from a pair of freshmen, Sanaa' St. Andre and Jocelyn Ewell. The pair combined for 31 minutes, providing solid defense in key moments.
After entering the fourth quarter with a three-point lead, the Roos went cold from the field. The team connected on just 28.6% of their shot attempts while surrendering 8-of-10 free throw shooting to the Bison.
The Roos multiple chances in the final minute, but committed two turnovers. NDSU made its free throws to ice the game
"I was proud at the end of the day," Hoyt said. "I hated that we couldn't pull it out, but our girls are responding really well to everything that's been thrown at them."
Kansas City is back in action in two weekends, as they take on Omaha in the Swinney Center on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 12 and 13 on the Roo Sports Network.
