The Kansas City women’s basketball team overcame a slow start and never looked back in a 73-57 win against Chicago State on Saturday. It was a stirring victory at home against an opponent with the worst record in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC).
Chicago State never got things going offensively, going just 31% from the field. Despite the wide margin of victory, the Lady Roos struggled to shoot the ball as well, converting on just five of 25 three-point attempts. Four of these came from sophomore guard Emily Ivory, who finished with 12 points and added an assist and a steal.
Senior guard Ericka Mattingly was the standout of the game, dropping 21 points, six rebounds, six assists and an impressive seven steals. The Roos took away 17 steals and forced 23 Chicago State turnovers.
UMKC is now tied for first in the WAC alongside Grand Canyon University. Both teams also have an identical 7-3 record over the past 10 games.
Mattingly felt good about how the game went. “I just try to do what I do for my teammates,” she said. “Whatever I could do to help my team is what I focused on.”
Mattingly emphasized playing hard and practicing in the tough week ahead, which will see the Roos face off against New Mexico State and UT Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) on the road.
Kansas City plays UTRGV on Thursday, Feb. 6 at 7 p.m.
