Roos Face Denver and St. Thomas in Back-to-Back Road Games

Starting Five

A two-game road stint for the Roos means an opportunity to pick up their second road victory along with another conference win. The Roos earned their first conference victory over Omaha on Jan. 20, but are still looking for their first road victory of conference play.
The last matchup between Denver and Kansas City ended with a Kansas City buzzer-beater that sent the Roos to the next round of play at the conference tournament. Thursday's meeting marks the only opponent the Roos have yet to face in conference play this season.
The past three games the Roos have found a rhythm with their starting lineup. Nariyah Simmons, Emani Bennett, Alyana Contreras, Dominique Phillips and Kelby Bannerman have led the Roos averaging 66.3 points per game. So far this season, the Roos have shuffled their starting lineup with 13 variations across the 22 games. Simmons is the only Roo to have started in all 22 games.
Double-digit performances from Contreras and Phillips against South Dakota pushed both of them to double-digit averages in points per game. Contreras leads the Roos averaging 10.2 points per game and Phillips falls just behind her averaging ten. This marks the first time since Nov. 25, that the Roos have had two players averaging in the double-digits. At that time, Simmons averaged 12.6 points per game and Contreras averaged 10 points per game.
The game between St. Thomas and Kansas City is the first rematch for the Roos this season. The Roos and the Tommies last met on Dec. 31, with St. Thomas notching a 66-57 win.

Denver Notes

Currently tied with the Roos for seventh place in the Summit League, Thursday's matchup will be a deciding factor in League Rankings. Following their matchup with KC, the Pios host 6-2 Oral Roberts.
The Pioneers currently have three players averaging in the double-digits. Emma Smith leads Denver in points, averaging 12.9 per game, Jordan Jones averages 12.5 and Emily Counsel rounds out the top with 11.2 points per game.
Denver picked up its lone win of conference play against Omaha on Dec. 29. The Pios hosted the Mavericks, putting up a definitive 81-63 victory.

St. Thomas Notes

Kansas City will look to pick up its first win over the Tommies and prevent a St. Thomas sweep on Saturday. St. Thomas faces Omaha on Thursday, going into that matchup with a 76-66 win over North Dakota under their belts.
In the first meeting between the teams this season, St. Thomas jumped to an early start, outscoring the Roos in every quarter except the third. The Tommies outrebounded the Roos 44-to-27, but Kansas City documented themselves a conference play team-high seven blocks.
Angelina Hammond is a defensive force for the Tommies. She has earned 25 blocks this season, ranks third in the Summit League, and averages 1.3 blocks per game.

Roos Face Denver and St. Thomas in Back-to-Back Road Games

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Kelby Bannerman

Emani Bennett

Dominique Phillips

Nariyah Simmons

Roos Face Denver and St. Thomas in Back-to-Back Road Games

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Kelby Bannerman

Emani Bennett

Dominique Phillips

Nariyah Simmons

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University of Missouri Kansas City Athletics