Roos Open Home Stretch Against Arkansas State

Starting Five

Emani Bennett was named to the all-tournament team for her performance in the Cleveland State Multi-Team Event. Bennett opened the tournament with a career-high two assists, two steals and two rebounds in the Roos 77-46 win over Chicago State. In Kansas City's second matchup, Bennett put up another career-high, this time with a 20-point performance.
The Roos matchup against Arkansas State will be just their third home game of the season. The game is the first of a five-game home stretch for Kansas City that will leave them with just one away game before opening conference play.
Kansas City will look to add another win to their record and break Arkansas State's five-game winning streak in the matchup. This will be the tenth meeting between the Roos and the Red Wolves and their first time facing one another in Kansas City since 1990.
Nariyah Simmons leads the blue and gold on the offensive end averaging 12.6 points per game. She leads the team in points with 88 and leads the team in three-pointers with 11 so far this season. Simmons put up a career-high 34 points in the Roos matchup against Kansas, going 4-for-8 outside the arc.
Lisa Thomas and Nariyah Simmons have been staples in the Kansas City starting lineup, they are the only two players to start in all seven games so far this season. Thomas is averaging 20.9 minutes per game while Simmons averages 27.9 minutes.

Arkansas State Notes

The Red Wolves go into the matchup on a two-game winning streak. Arkansas State picked up two wins at home over Hendrix and Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
Arkansas State opened its season against South Dakota State, falling 55-42 in Brookings. The Roos face South Dakota State during conference play in Kansas City on Jan. 25 and again on Feb. 15 in Brookings.
Junior guard, Izzy Higginbottom leads the Red Wolves on offense. She averages 23.2 points per game and just over 33 minutes. Higginbottom earned a season-high 31 points in the 75-62 victory over Northern Illinois.