Kansas City
5-13,1-6Summit League
Western Illinois
7-12,2-6Summit League
Kansas City Outlasted by Leathernecks in Macomb
1/14/2023 4:34:00 PM | Women's Basketball
E'Lease Stafford nailed six three-pointers en route to a 24-point outing
MACOMB, Ill. - Kansas City Women's Basketball (5-13, 1-6 Summit) was plagued by foul trouble this afternoon as it fell to Western Illinois (7-12, 2-6 Summit), 78-68. E'Lease Stafford gave the Roos a fighting chance, knocking down a career-high-tying six three-pointers en route to a team-high 24 points.
After falling behind by as many as 16 early in the second half, the Roos were able to battle back and draw within four on a triple by Stafford midway through the fourth quarter. However, the Leathernecks showed why they are one of the top free throw shooting teams in the nation, knocking down 21-of-29 attempts from the charity stripe and sealing the game from the line late.
Rain Green was the only other Roo in double-digits with 14 points, adding a team-high five assists. Tamia Ugass had a good day off the bench, dropping five points and pulling down a team-high nine rebounds.
KEY MOMENTS
- 1Q - 5:57 / 7-13 | The Leathernecks got out to a quick start and built a double-digit lead, but the Roos scored five-straight on an and-one by Machia Mullens and a layup by Green to draw back within six.
- 1Q - 0:04 / 19-22 | Stafford hit back-to-back threes to end the quarter, including one at the buzzer, to draw KC within three at the end of the first period.
- 2Q - 3:38 / 27-35 | After the Roos drew within a point, WIU used an 11-2 run to extend its lead back out to 10. Manna Mensah put an end to the run, driving for a layup on an assist by Zaire Harrell.
- 3Q - 7:23 / 36-46 | Western Illinois opened the second half with a three-pointer to extend its lead out to 16 points. However, the Roos used a 9-2 run, capped by a Mullens jumper, to draw back within 10.
- 3Q - 1:01 / 50-57 | Mensah nailed her first three of the day to bring the Roos within single digits heading into the final quarter.
3Q | BIG HIT MANNA! pic.twitter.com/Yitahd3EH1
— Kansas City Women's Basketball (@KCRoosWBB) January 14, 2023
- 4Q - 5:59 / 57-61 | Stafford knocked down another three-pointer to bring Kansas City within four points, but that was as close as the Roos would get for the rest of the game.
STATS TO NOTE
- With six three-pointers today, Stafford tied her career-high previously reached against Western Carolina on Feb. 6, 202 during her time at East Tennessee State. In addition, she has officially surpassed the 1,000-point mark on her career.
- The Roos were whistled for 25 fouls on the day, with 4-of-5 starters picking up at least four fouls. Twenty-five personal fouls was the Roos' second-most on the year.
- Ugass finished the day with nine rebounds, tying her career-high mark. She had previously reached that number against Utah Tech and Arkansas State this season.
- After playing 30 minutes or fewer in each of her first four games as a Roo, Mensah has now played all 40 minutes in each of the last three games.
UP NEXT
Kansas City returns home next week to host North Dakota on Thursday at 7 p.m. before a meeting with North Dakota State on Saturday.
