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Kansas City
0-1,0-0Summit League
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Kansas
1-0,0-0Big 12
Roos Hang Tight With Jayhawks for Four Full Quarters
11/5/2025 9:39:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Emani Bennett, Tierra Trotter combine for 46 points, eight three pointers in season opener
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Going up against an AP Poll receiving votes team to open up the 2025-26 season isn't an easy task. The Roos proved they were up for the challenge against a power five opponent, grabbing a three point lead after the first quarter. Kansas City (0-1) ultimately fell short of the comeback effort in a 74-64 loss to Kansas (1-0) in the season opener Wednesday night at Allen Fieldhouse.
Kansas City opened up the game strong on the defensive end, holding the Jayhawks to 27% shooting from the field in the opening frame and scoring five points off Kansas turnovers. Emani Bennett put the ball in the basket, knocking down a couple of three pointers and pacing the Roos with eight points in the first. KC held an 11-8 lead heading into the second quarter.
The Jayhawks had a quick response, going on a 16-2 run to open up the second half and snag a 12 point lead at the 4:48 mark of the second. Tierra Trotter ended the run with a slick drive and finish at the rim to cut the deficit back down to 10. Bennett and Trotter steadied the ship, knocking down back to back threes to make it a six point game at halftime.
Kansas City continued to stay pace with the Jayhawks in the second half but were unable to cut the deficit to under four points for the remainder of the game. Bennett poured in a near career-high of 29 points on 10-23 shooting from the floor while also connecting on six three pointers. Bennett's six made threes is a new career-high and her 29 points comes just a point shy of her career-best, 30 points vs Denver last season. Bennett also notched eight rebounds and two steals.
Trotter was fantastic offensively in her Roos debut, scoring 17 points, seven assists and two steals while hitting two three pointers. Zaire Harrell hauled in a career-best 14 rebounds, five of them coming on the offensive rebounding end. The Roos were out-shot 57% to 37% from the field while shooting 39% from three point territory to KU's 42%. The Roos forced 18 Jayhawks turnovers while committing 15 of their own. The rebounding margin was dead even at 36 boards each.
Kansas CIty travels back home to host William Jewell at 2 p.m. on Saturday afternoon in the home opener at the Swinney Center.
