Roos Snap Leathernecks’ Seven-Game Win Streak, Extend Theirs to Three

Sunday, December 10

Kansas City, Mo.

2:00 PM

Kansas City

5-5,0-0Summit League

Western Illinois

8-2,0-0OVC

Western Ill.

Kansas City

Photo by: Syd Siemens

Roos Snap Leathernecks’ Seven-Game Win Streak, Extend Theirs to Three

12/10/2023 4:58:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Highlights Coach Jackson-Durrett Postgame Simmons/Em. Bennett Postgame Photo Gallery

Kansas City picked up its fifth win of the season, bringing its home record to 4-1

KANSAS CITY, Mo — Kansas City Women's Basketball (5-5) defeated Western Illinois (8-2)
68-60 in an offensive battle. The Roos and Leathernecks got to a fiery start, with Kansas City making it first to the scoreboard. Then, back-to-back threes from Emani Bennett to end the first quarter allowed the Roos to close the period, up by three. The Roos and the Leathernecks earned 17 points apiece in the second quarter which allowed Kansas City to maintain the lead. The Roos went into halftime up 35-32.

In the first half, Em. Bennett led the Roos in scoring with 10 points. Alayna Contreras was another offensive staple for KC, dishing out four assists in the first 20 minutes of play, along with five points.

The two teams traded baskets to open the second half of play, but towards the end of the third quarter, a five-point scoring run for Western Illinois allowed the Leathernecks to momentarily reclaim the upper hand. The Roos were not ready to back down, coming back with vengeance and outscoring the Leathernecks 23-to-17 in the fourth quarter to secure the victory.

KEY MOMENTS | HIGHLIGHTS

1Q — 7:49 / 4-0 | The Roos got to work early, Nariyah Simmons earned the first points of the game on a driving layup. In the next play, the Kansas City defense held Western Illinois scoreless, and Simmons was able to drain two free throws to put the Roos ahead by four early.
1Q — 1:12 / 15-12 | Contreras drove the ball to the right, just outside the arc, connecting with Emani Bennett. She nailed a three to break the tie in favor of the Roos. When Contreras found her again on the next play, Em. Bennett drained her second three.
2Q —7:21 / 25-17 | Em. Bennett drove the ball toward the net and was met with Western Illinois traffic. She was able to fire off a driving layup, extending Kansas City's lead to eight and making her the first Roo in double-digits with ten points.
3Q — 8:14 / 37-32 | Zaire Harrell inbounded the ball for the Roos finding Em. Bennett. Em. Bennett took no time firing off a shot, opening third quarter scoring with her jumper.
3Q — 2:05 /45-43 | After Western Illinois momentarily reclaimed the lead, Tamia Ugass and Contreras staged a comeback of their own. Ugass knocked down back-to-back jump shots both of which were assisted by Contreras.
4Q — 5:28 / 53-46 | At the line for the Roos, Ugass's second shot bounced off the rim. Elauni Bennett brought down the first rebound and the Blue and Gold were able to fire off a three. The basket did not fall, but Em. Bennett brought down the rebound, putting up a successful layup for Kansas City and consequently extending their lead to seven.
4Q — 3:13 / 58 – 48 | Kansas City kept the pace up, connecting a handful of passes before getting the ball to Em. Bennett. She drove to the net and put up a floating jump shot. She picked up a foul in the process, earning three points the hard way for KC. Her basket and free through extended the Roos lead to ten and earned her, her twentieth point of the day.
4Q — 1:11 / 64 -55 | Simmons drove the ball to the net and found Ugass under the basket, who knocked down the Roos final field goal of the game. Following her layup, three Roos went to the line and shot 4-for-6 to lock in the victory.

STATS TO NOTE

Following her double-double last game, Ugass earned 19 points and two steals in the matchup. Her performance in both categories is season-high; she breaks her previous season high of 11, earned last game against Bellevue, by eight points.
This win marks the Roos' third in a row. The last time Kansas City had a winning streak of three or more games was in the 2021-22 season when they went on a nine-game winning streak from Jan. 27 until Feb. 19.
Contreras's six assists marks an individual team-high for the season. Previously, three Roos had earned five assists on four occasions, including Contreras on Nov. 6, 2023, against Bradley. Six assists mark a new career-high for Contreras.
Em. Bennett put up her second 20-point performance of the season, improving the Roos record to 1-1 when Bennett scores 20 points. She is the only Roo to earn 20 points twice this season.

POSTGAME INTERVIEWS
Coach Jackson-Durrett Postgame | Nariyah Simmons and Emani Bennett Postgame

UP NEXT
The Roos take on Alabama A&M (3-3) Thursday at 7 p.m. This will be the Roos' fourth consecutive game at home. After today's win, Kansas City has a 4-1 record in the Swinney Center this season.