Roos Outlasted by Leathernecks

Tuesday, November 12

Macomb, IL

7:00 PM

Kansas City

2-2,0-0Summit League

Western Illinois

3-0,0-0OVC

Kansas City

Western Ill.

Photo by: Anna Simms

Roos Outlasted by Leathernecks

11/12/2024 10:10:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Highlights

Emani Bennett and Kelby Bannerman put up 12 points each

MACOMB, Ill. — Kansas City Women's Basketball (2-2) struck first against a strong-shooting Western Illinois (3-0) squad but could not hold on, falling 62-43. Emani Bennett kept Kansas City in striking range during the first quarter, knocking down 10 of KC's 11 points. Em. Bennett and Kelby Bannerman kept the Roos in the game earning a team-leading 12 points each. The Leathernecks shot 44.4 percent outside the arc which ultimately allowed them to pull away. Even with Western Illinois' success from the field, Kansas City's defense held them to their lowest-scoring win since Nov. 21, 2022.

KEY MOMENTS | HIGHLIGHTS
1Q — 1:02 / 12-11| Ana Oliveira Dias drove the ball down the court finding Em. Bennett in traffic. Even with three Western Illinois defenders Em. Bennett knocked down the layup bringing her to ten points in the quarter.
2Q — 4:58 / 25-13 | Lisa Thomas got her hand on a Leatherneck ball. She maintained possession taking the fast-break down for a layup and ending a six-minute scoring drought for the Roos.
3Q — 9:09 / 34-24 | Thomas launched the ball cross-court to a wide-open Alayna Contreras. Contreras took the shot without hesitation, earning her first points of the game and notching KC's lone three.
3Q — 6:50 / 41-27 | Oliveira Dias drove the ball into the paint, sliding it over to Bannerman. Bannerman fired off a shot under the basket, picking up a foul on the play. She converted on the and one to bring Kansas City within 14.
4Q — 6:14 / 54-39 | In the paint, Kaia Ponder kicked the ball out to Zaire Harrell. Harrell left unguarded, took a dribble, and fired off the long jump shot.

STATS TO NOTE

Kansas City held the Leathernecks well below their season allowing 62 points in the game. Before tonight's matchup, Western Illinois was averaging 89.0 points per game. The last time the Leathernecks scored less than 63 points was on Feb. 8, 2024, when they fell to Little Rock 41-50.
Em. Bennett and Bannerman combined for 24 points and 11 rebounds. The pair earned 12 points each accounting for more than half of the Roos' points and a third of their rebounds.
Oliveira Dias more than doubled her career-high in steals earning seven. Her previous high came against William Jewell on Nov. 9, when she earned three steals.

UP NEXT
Kansas City travels to Huntsville, facing Alabama A&M on Tuesday at 11 a.m.