Kansas City
4-7,0-0Summit League
Bellevue
0-2
Fourth Quarter Run Lifts Roos over Bellevue
12/15/2022 10:36:00 PM | Women's Basketball
RaVon Nero scored nine-straight points in the fourth quarter to spark Kansas City's 18-point run that put the game out of reach
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - When Kansas City Women's Basketball (4-7) needed big plays down the stretch, it was RaVon Nero and E'Lease Stafford that were there to take the call, leading the Roos to a 74-58 win over Bellevue (6-6). Nero scored 12 of her game-high 23 points in the fourth quarter, while Stafford went for 13 second half points to finish with 22.
After finding herself in early foul trouble, Nero sat for the entire third quarter, but was ready when her name was called. Bellevue cut Kansas City's double-digit lead down to two points early in the fourth quarter when Nero checked in, scoring nine-straight points to give Kansas City the edge.
The Roos used 18-of-18 free throw shooting and a 17-rebound edge on the boards to fend off the Bruins.
KEY MOMENTS
- 1Q - 4:57 / 8-8 | After a slow start to the game, Stafford drove to the lane and made her first bucket of the night, sparking a 13-point Kansas City run.
- 1Q - 1:27 / 19-8 | It was another Stafford basket that ended the second-biggest scoring run of the game for the Roos, hitting a turnaround jumper to put KC ahead by 11 at the end of the first.
- 2Q - 2:20 / 37-28 | The Bruins battled to draw back within four points, but back-to-back buckets by Machia Mullens and RaVon Nero extended the lead back to nine. Bellevue would end the half on a four-point run to cut the deficit to five at the half.
- 3Q - 8:16 / 39-40 | Bellevue continued its run into the second half to take a lead, but a pull-up jumper by Sanaa' St. Andre sparked an 11-point Kansas City run that put the Roos up for good.
- 3Q - 0:51 / 54-42 | Dani Winslow pulled down an offensive rebound and made the put back, giving the Roos a 12-point lead late in the third quarter.
- 4Q - 6:47 / 58-54 | After the Bruins drew back within two points, Nero checked in and scored a basket just 22 seconds later and proceeded to score nine-straight points, sparking an 18-point Kansas City run that put the game out of reach.
@MarieRavonn dropping 3?'s like its nothing ?? pic.twitter.com/q2Iz3ikFQj
— Kansas City Women's Basketball (@KCRoosWBB) December 16, 2022
- 4Q - 3:03 / 69-54 | Winslow pulled down a rebound and found Stafford in transition, capping off Kansas City's late-game run that secured the victory.
STATS TO NOTE
- The Roos' 18-of-18 night at the free throw line was the first time since a game against Chicago State on Mar. 5, 2016 that the Roos went perfect from the line with at least 10 attempts. It was the team's most free throw makes without a miss since at least the 2011-12 season.
- Nero's 23-point performance was her first time in double-digits this season, and was the third 20-point showing of her Kansas City career.
- Stafford's 22-point night was her fifth time reaching the 20-point plateau this season.
- Winslow finished the night with 16 rebounds, her seventh time in double-digits this year.
- The Roos out-rebounded the Bruins 50-33, grabbing 19 boards on the offensive end and turning them into 15 points.
COACH DIONNAH JACKSON-DURRETT, QUOTED
"With injured players coming back healthy for conference, we're going to have a different look and a different pace. Coming into conference getting everyone healthy is the most important thing."
"RaVon really understands the game, she was the spark we needed in the fourth quarter."
UP NEXT
The Roos begin conference play on the road, opening with a game at South Dakota on Monday at 7 p.m.
