Kansas City Welcomes South Dakota State in Final Home Game

THE STARTERS

The Roos adjusted their starting lineup for the first time in six games and the second time during conference play, adding Zaire Harrell to the mix. Alayna Contreras and Emani Bennett have started in all 28 games for the Roos and Elauni Bennett has started in all 13 conference games.
Harrell knocked down a career-high 22 points in the win over St. Thomas tying Alayna Contreras for the team-high. She improved her previous career-high of 12 which she earned against William Jewell on Nov. 11, 2024. Harrell went 9-of-10 from the field and brought down nine rebounds.
Kansas City's 91-82 win over St. Thomas marks their highest-scoring victory during conference play. The win snapped a three-game losing skid for the Roos along with a three-game winning streak for St. Thomas. It marks the second time the Roos outscored the Tommies during conference play, although the first meeting was ruled a forfeit for the Roos.
Contreras put up her tenth 20-point performance of the season and added a team-high six assists for a season-high. She currently ranks second in the Summit in threes per game averaging 2.2 during league play.
The Roos rank among the top 100 teams in three defensive categories. They rank third in the Summit for rebound margin (3.4) and 99th nationally, second in the Summit in steals per game (9.1) and 97th nationally, and they lead the Summit League in offensive rebounds (13.4) placing them 55th in the nation.

SCOUTING SOUTH DAKOTA STATE

South Dakota State enters the game with a week of rest under their belts. The Jackrabbits hosted South Dakota last Saturday, defeating the Coyotes 71-61.
The Jackrabbits lead the Summit with a perfect 13-0 record during conference play. They wrap up the conference season at home hosting Denver and St. Thomas next week.
Paige Meyer helped South Dakota State to its 13th win, with a 23-point performance against South Dakota. She brought down a team-high six rebounds and added three assists.
South Dakota State is one of the best shooting teams in the Summit outside the arc. The Jackrabbits shoot 37.6% from three and rank second in the Summit in threes per game averaging 7.8.
South Dakota State's most recent loss to Kansas City came on Jan. 11, 2009, in KC when the Jackrabbits fell, 64-67.

University of Missouri Kansas City Athletics