Kansas City
12-17,3-11Summit League
Omaha
6-22,2-13Summit League
Second Quarter Explosion Leads Roos to Season Sweep of Mavs
2/24/2024 2:39:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Tamia Ugass and Alayna Contreras each contributed 15 points in the win
OMAHA, Neb. - Kansas City Women's Basketball (12-17, 3-11 Summit) used a big second quarter run to create separation and never looked back this afternoon, taking down Omaha, 72-56. The Roos picked up their first road win of Summit League play, moving ahead of the Mavericks in the league standings with the victory.
Kansas City scored more than the Mavericks in all four quarters, but it was the second quarter that made the biggest difference, as KC was able to open up a double-digit lead, outscoring Omaha, 21-9. The Roos limited the Mavericks to just 16 made field goals on 50 attempts, holding UNO to 23.5% shooting from three-point range. Additionally, the Roos pulled down 12 offensive rebounds and forced 17 Omaha turnovers, resulting in KC attempting 18 more shots from the field than the Mavs.
It was an even effort across the board for the Roos in the scoring column, getting 15 points apiece from Alayna Contreras and Tamia Ugass. Emani Bennett contributed as well, turning in 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting. The offense flowed well, as seven different Roos picked up an assist, led by Lisa Thomas with five, and Dominque Phillips was big on the boards, pulling down nine rebounds.
KEY MOMENTS
- 1Q - 5:30 / 12-8 | Omaha opened a four-point lead to begin the game, but the Roos responded by scoring eight-straight points. The Mavericks were forced into a timeout as Elauni Bennett nabbed a steal and found her sister, Em. Bennett in transition for an easy bucket that capped the run.
- 1Q - 0:00 / 19-17 | The Mavericks scored with just five seconds remaining in the quarter to briefly reclaim the lead, but Em. Bennett got down the court quickly once again, finishing through contact as time expired to give the Roos a lead that they would never relinquish.
- 2Q - 5:24 / 30-20 | Kansas City used a 10-point run to take command of the game and claim a 13-point lead. In the midst of the run, Ugass found Contreras for a three-pointer that put the Roos up by double digits for the first time.
- 2Q - 1:42 / 40-24 | Dayshawna Carter provided a spark off the bench for the Roos in the second quarter, scoring all of her six points in the second frame. Her final bucket of the day put the Roos ahead by 16 late in the quarter.
- 3Q - 6:29 / 49-31 | The Roos held Omaha without a field goal for over three minutes early in the third quarter, expanding the lead to as many as 18 points thanks to a layup from Thomas.
- 3Q - 2:56 / 55-40 | Omaha scored six-straight points to draw back within 13, but Jocelyn Ewell put an end to the run, dropping a layup on an assist from Ugass.
- 4Q - 5:33 / 67-51 | Kansas City looked to ice the game late, draining the shot clock before Contreras drove to the lane and converted for an and-one bucket that put the Roos ahead by 16.
- 4Q - 1:21 / 72-56 | Ugass put the icing on top of the Kansas City win, pulling down an offensive rebound and scoring through contact for another and-one bucket.
STATS TO NOTE
- The Roos have three wins in Summit League play this year, all of which have come by 10-plus points. Kansas City's average margin of victory in its three wins is 15.0 points.
- Ugass earned her fifth start of the season, her first in seven games. She has now scored in double-digits eight times this year, with today being the first time since KC's first meeting with Omaha on Jan. 20.
- Today's win gives Kansas City the regular season sweep over the Mavericks after an 88-74 win in KC earlier this season. It is the first regular season sweep over a league opponent of Head Coach Dionnah Jackson-Durrett's head coaching career.
- The Mavericks' 56-point night is tied for the team's second-lowest scoring output this season and is 17 points below its season average. In addition, 16 made field goals is their lowest since Feb. 16 of last season.
- Phillips' nine-rebound game is her best of the season, surpassing her eight-board showings on Dec. 10 and Jan. 20.
UP NEXT
Kansas City closes the regular season with a pair of games at home, hosting Denver on Feb. 29 and Oral Roberts on Mar. 2.
