Women’s Basketball Travels to Denver, Taking on Pioneers

THE STARTERS

Wednesday's game marks Kansas City's first in the back half of conference play. The Roos enter the match, ranking fourth in the Summit, with a 4-4 record. The Blue and Gold are behind North Dakota State and Oral Roberts who tie for second with 7-2 records.
The Roos went 10-of-15 from beyond the arc on Thursday, marking their best three-point performance of the Jackson-Durrett era. Hot-shooting helped KC to its first win over USD since Jan. 12, 2013. Kansas City shot 66.7% from three marking its best three-point performance since Jan. 20, 2018, when the Roos shot 66.7% from the field on 6-of-9 shooting at Grand Canyon. The Roos bested their season high in threes per game by three.
Lisa Thomas was a critical piece for the Roos in their victory over the Coyotes. She earned a game-high in assists and rebounds with nine and 10 respectively. Thomas ranks fifth in the Summit in assist-to-turnover ratio and 182nd nationally with a 1.39.
In their last meeting, the Roos fended off Denver in overtime, winning 73-66. Alayna Contreras led the Roos in points earning her then career-high of 31. The overtime win was Kansas City's first since Nov. 29, 2022, when the Roos defeated Bradley 71-68.
Kansas City continues to lead the Summit League in offensive boards, averaging 11.9 per game in conference play. Nationally, the Roos rank 42nd in offensive rebounds, bringing down 14.0 rebounds per game across the season.

SCOUTING DENVER

The Pioneers will look to get back in the win column following back-to-back losses at St. Thomas and Oral Roberts. Denver's most recent match was decided by just one point as the Pios fell 68-67.
Jordan Jones continues to lead Denver on offense, averaging 20.9 points per game. During league play, Jones ranks second in points per game averaging 22.2, just ahead of KC's Alayna Contreras who is averaging 21.0.
Denver has been strong from the charity stripe this season, shooting a league-leading 77.3%. The Pioneers average 14.1 free throws per game.
Freshman, Brooke Murrell led the Pioneers in rebounds against Oral Roberts, bringing down a career-high tying 11. Murrell first notched her career-high on Jan. 15 at Kansas City, earning three offensive rebounds and eight defensive boards.
DU continues the back-half of conference play hosting St. Thomas on Saturday.

University of Missouri Kansas City Athletics