The Kansas City Roos women’s basketball team took on St.Thomas at the Swinney Center on Thursday.
Kansas City won the first matchup, 76-69, on Jan. 2, but due undisclosed reasons the Roos had to forfeit the game.
Starting the game off with multiple mid-range buckets, junior guard Alayna Contreras also contributed on the court by being selfless assisting sophomore guards Emani and Elauni Bennett, who knocked down multiple three pointers.
“I think my job is to score,” said Contreras. “But having other people step up makes it fun and takes a little bit of pressure of me”
In this game, Contreras showed the mid-range shot is still alive in the age of the three-pointer.
Kansas City led 26-22 at the end of the 1st quarter.
After the second quarter, the Roos let things slip away just a bit trailing 46-41 at the half.
Senior center Jo Lanbehn from St.Thomas led all scorers with 16 points at half.
Entering the third quarter the Roos came out looking like a whole different team, picking up the intensity and urgency that is needed.
“In the second half we were the tougher team,” said head coach Dionnah Jackson-Durrett. “I felt like my players responded to the challenge I presented to them.”
The Roos ended the third on a 12-0 run to take back the lead at 66-56.
“My players accepted the challenge and made a statement,” said Jackson-Durrett.
The Roos continued that second half momentum defeating the Tommies 91-82
“Before we went out for the second half,” said junior guard Zaire Harrell. “Coach held us all together and said “I believe in you. Sometimes more than you all believe in yourself.” That gave us the confidence we needed.”
Harell recorded a career high 22 points giving the team energy from the start embracing her role as a starter for that game.
“I didn’t notice they were giving me anything until I had 12 points,” said Harrell. “Coach really gave us a challenge. I just wanted to step up.”
Harrell finished one rebound short of a double-double.
Continuing with the Bennett twins’ helpful performance, Emani scored 19 points, while Elauni put up 16 points.
Having four players scoring double figures, Kansas City snaps a 3 game losing streak in conference play gaining some momentum for the Summit League tournament coming in March.
