Denver Uses Strong Second Quarter to Sweep Past Roos

Thursday, February 29

Kansas City, Mo.

7:00 PM

Kansas City

12-18,3-12Summit League

Denver

8-20,5-10Summit League

Denver

Kansas City

Photo by: Francie Wilson

Denver Uses Strong Second Quarter to Sweep Past Roos

2/29/2024 10:52:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery

Denver completes the season sweep as the Pioneers use the long ball to defeat Kansas City

KANSAS CITY, MO — Kansas City Women's Basketball (12-18, 3-12) fell to Denver (8-20, 5-10), 74-60 as the Pioneers defense and use of the long ball was enough to defeat the Roos. The Roos started the game in a 2-3 zone defense but that didn't phase Denver, picking apart the zone and knocking down five first quarter threes. Nariyah Simmons kept the Roos in arms reach, scoring 12 points in the first quarter knocking down two three-pointers.

Things began to slip away in the second quarter as Denver outscored the Roos by 15. Denver returned the favor by going into a 2-3 zone holding the Roos to just nine second quarter points and leading by as much as 22. The Pioneers also added four more three pointers.

The Roos did a better job figuring out the Pioneers zone defense, scoring 17 points in the third and shooting 50% from the field. The Roos fought in the second half, outscoring the Pioneers by five, but it was not enough to earn them the win as DU had all of the answers whenever the Roos tried to make a run.

KEY MOMENTS | HIGHLIGHTS

1Q - 8:23 / 2-5 | Nariyah Simmons drove in the lane and used a nice pump fake to free herself up and making the layup to start the Roos scoring.
1Q - 4:05 / 10-9 | Emani Bennett caught the ball on the left wing and dribbled through the Pioneer defense to convert a driving layup to give the Roos their first lead of the game.
1Q - 0:17 / 16-20 | As the shot clock was going down, the Roo offense was stalling out so Simmons pulled up for three and connected giving her 12 points in the period.
2Q - 7:39 / 18-27 | Simmons picked apart Denver's 2-3 zone finding Dominique Phillips at the free throw for an open jumpshot giving Phillips her first points of the game.
2Q - 4:27 / 20-31 | Alayna Contreras used a nice crossover to create some space and knock down an elbow jumper for her first bucket of the game.
3Q - 9:48 / 27-44 | Dayshawna Carter used a nice step back jumper to give the Roos their first bucket of the second half.
3Q - 7:40 / 49-34 | Simmons found Contreras wide open at the top of the key for a three pointer. Contreras used a quick trigger as her basket cut the deficit to 15.
4Q - 8:44 / 44-64 | Simmons drove down the court, backed her defender down and converted a layup while being fouled. Simmons made the free, earning a team high 23 points on the night.

STATS TO NOTE

Nariyah Simmons led the team with 23 points, shooting 60% from the field and going 3-of-7 from behind the arc. This is Simmons second time scoring 20 points this season.
The Roos trailed Denver at halftime by 19 points. Kansas City is now 1-14 on the season when trailing at halftime.
Alayna Contreras contributed nicely off the bench as she scored 15 points dishing out six assists and grabbing five rebounds. This is Contreras second consecutive 15 point game and her sixth 15-plus point game of the season.
Alayna Contreras and Nariyah Simmons each made three 3 pointers marking the first time two Roos hit three triples in a game.

UP NEXT
The Roos stay at home to conclude the regular season as they take on Oral Roberts at 2 p.m. Jocelyn Ewell, Dominique Phillips and Ifunanya Nwachukwu will be celebrated during Senior Day festivities.