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Kansas City
11-18,7-7Summit League
South Dakota State
24-3,14-0Summit League
Contreras’ 24 Points Not Enough as Roos Outlasted by Jackrabbits
2/22/2025 4:34:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Kansas City outrebounded South Dakota State 33-32 on the glass
KANSAS CITY – Despite a three point halftime deficit, Kansas City Women's Basketball (10-19, 6-8 Summit) couldn't keep up with South Dakota State (24-3, 14-0 Summit) falling behind the eight-ball and ultimately dropping the contest by a score of 80-60 on Saturday afternoon. It was senior day at the Swinney Center as three seniors in Lisa Thomas, Tamia Ugass and Zanaa Cordis were recognized pregame for their success and accomplishments as key pieces to the KC women's basketball program.
The Roos were aided by an explosive second quarter, where they outscored the Jackrabbits 21-16 and shot 53% from the floor in that frame. Kansas City edged out SDSU 33-32 in the rebounding battle and 25-22 on the defensive glass. Alayna Contreras led KC in scoring, pouring in 24 points on 8-19 shooting from the floor and knocking down all four of the Roos three pointers for the game. Emani Bennett joined Contreras in the double digit scoring club, recording 14 points on 6-16 shooting from the field and hauling in four rebounds.
KEY MOMENTS
- 1Q – 4:47 / 10-15 | With the shot clock ticking under 15 seconds, Contreras passed out to El. Bennett on the right wing and got the ball back a few feet past the three point arc at the top of the key. Contreras paused for a moment, took a dribble and fired up a high arching shot from way downtown that ripped the chords for her second triple.
- 2Q – 6:48 / 24-28 | Kansas City inched closer in the second quarter as Thomas penetrated the paint and threw a cross court skip pass to the corner for an open Harrell who drilled the mid-range jumper to put the Roos within four.
- 2Q – 2:52 / 33-31 | Following a Jackrabbits missed shot, Tamia Ugass pulled in the rebound and shoveled the ball to Thomas who sprinted down the floor to start the Roos offensive attack. Thomas rocketed past South Dakota State defenders and swung the rock to Contreras who hit her defender with a smooth step back and drained the three pointer to give Kansas City their first lead of the game.
- 3Q – 3:00 / 44-48 | South Dakota State saw their lead dwindle as the third quarter went on with Em. Bennett chipped into the deficit by driving to the bucket and floating up a contested layup that dropped through the net to make it a two possession game for the Roos.
- 3Q – 1:54 / 47-53 | Em. Bennett continued her hot stretch of play in the third, putting a slick crossover move on her defender, forcing her way into prime position to score once again. Right below the free throw line, Em. Bennett rose up for a short jumper and hit the tough shot off the glass.
- 4Q – 8:14 / 51-62 | Em. Bennett put the Roos on her back as the game waned on, scoring yet another bucket for KC as the sophomore guard got the edge on her defender and pulled up from long mid-range territory to drain the shot and give the Roos their first made basket of the fourth quarter.
STATS TO NOTE
- Kansas City won the battle on the glass, outrebounding the Jackrabbits 33-32 and winning the defensive boards battle 25-22. Harrell led the Roos in rebounding, hauling in seven boards for Kansas City's cause.
- Kansas City shot 44.4% from three point range with Contreras hitting all four of the Roos shots from distance.
- Contreras led the Roos in scoring with 24 points, her 10th 20-plus point game of the season. The junior guard has notched four games in a row of 20 points or more, her longest streak of the season.
- Em. Bennett registered her 17th straight game of double figure scoring, recording 14 points to finish second on the Roos in scoring against South Dakota State.
HIGHLIGHTS | COACH JACKSON-DURRETT
UP NEXT
Kansas City travels to Fargo, ND to take on North Dakota State for the penultimate regular season game at 7:00 p.m. next Thursday.
