The Missouri-Kansas City women’s basketball team had its underclassmen score all but three of its points, including 23 from the freshmen class, but the UMKC youth was not enough to pull off the upset on Tuesday night at Bramlage Coliseum as the ‘Roos fell to Kansas State 65-36.
“Tonight’s game was definitely a learning experience for our young team,” Head Coach Marsha Frese said. “It’s the first time we’ve faced that size and they will probably will be the biggest team we see all season. We didn’t do a good job of handling them on the interior, but it’s something we can learn from and we will be better prepared the next time we see a team like this.”
With the win, K-State improves to 2-0 in the early going of the season, while the Kangaroos slip to 1-1 on the year.
“There is a lot we can learn from a game like this,” freshman Samantha Waldron said after scoring a team-high eight points and grabbing three rebounds. “We can learn how to play against a zone, since this is the first time we’ve seen it this year. We can improve on our passing and moving the ball inside and out.”
The ‘Roos battled the Wildcats early in the contest with a strong defensive effort, holding K-State to just a single point over the first five minutes of play.
UMKC remained within striking distance for most of the first half, trailing by just eight with eight minutes on the clock, but an 11-0 run by the home team stretched the lead to a first half-high 19 at 27-8.
K-State would maintain the 19 point advantage with just under two minutes remaining, but a three from Samantha Waldron would be the final points of the half for either team as UMKC entered the break trailing 29-13.
Coming out of the locker room, Waldron again connected from deep for the ‘Roos first points of the half, trimming the lead to 31-16.
The Wildcats once again had answer, reeling off 17 of the next 24 points to extend the lead to 50-23.
Taylor Strickland would end the K-State rally with the Kangaroos next three field goals, but the effort would not be enough as the Wildcats would come away with victory over the ‘Roos.
Defensively, UMKC forced 16 Wildcat turnovers, while on the glass, Aries Washington grabbed a team-high five rebounds.
The Blue & Gold will return to action again on Saturday when they open it up their home slate against cross-campus foe Rockhurst at 2 p.m. in the Swinney Recreation Center on Nov. 22.
“We’re excited to open the season at home,” Frese added. “We have a ton of new faces on the roster this year and their games will develop as the season and their careers go on. We’re happy to be able to return home and enjoy the comfort that comes with playing on your home court.”