Kansas City
8-10,4-5Summit League
Omaha
2-17,0-9Summit League
McKissic's Career-High Leads Roos to Victory
2/12/2021 10:12:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Brandon McKissic stuffed the stat sheet with 29 points, four rebounds, five assists and four steals in the win
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Brandon McKissic scored a career-high 29 points as the Kansas City (8-10, 4-5) men's basketball team secured a 62-52 win against Omaha (2-17, 0-9). The Roos were able to rally behind McKissic's efficiency and forced Omaha into 24 turnovers en route to the win.
After missing the previous two games against NDSU, McKissic got himself going early in the first half. He scored 10 of the Roos' first 17 points, leading the way with 12 going into the half.
"I was really hurting, missing the last two games, especially when we split and I felt like we could have won both," McKissic said. "This week I worked really hard, and I was excited. I haven't played in many home games this year, and it's my senior year so I have to make every last one count. I just put it all out there."
Kansas City's trademark defense caused havoc for the Mavericks, creating 20 points off of turnovers. The Roos notched 12 steals on the night, four above their season average. McKissic led the way with four, while Zion Williams and Franck Kamgain added three each.
Bench play favored Kansas City, which received nine points from Arkel Lamar and four from Demarius Pitts. The Roos were able to hold Omaha's bench to just one point on the night, forcing the Mavericks' starters to provide most of the production.
McKissic continued his onslaught into the second half, pouring in 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting. He also distributed to teammates, finishing the night with a team-high five assists.
"This was a personal weekend for us," McKissic said. "I was just letting everyone know that I was coming with everything that I had. That's how I have to be, I'm a captain, I'm a leader. I have to lead my team to battle every day."
Kansas City used a 19-8 run to extend its lead early in the second half and never looked back, leading by at least eight points for the rest of the game. The Roos shot 41.4% in the second frame while holding Omaha to 10-of-26 shooting.
The Roos and Mavericks play the second game of the series tomorrow night at 7 p.m. The game will be streamed on the Roo Sports Network.
"We need to be better on defense," McKissic said. "We need to be cleaner on offense. It's a win, but we can be better. We can't be satisfied, we have to get the sweep."
