by LAWRENCE, Kan. — Kansas City Women’s Basketball (3-8) put up a fight but could not stifle a hot-shooting Kansas (9-1), falling 49-79. The Roos were led by Emani Bennett who secured 16 points and her ninth double-digit performance of the season. Alayna Contreras also reached double-digits knocking down 13 points and two assists. Kansas City logged nine offensive rebounds compared to the Jayhawks’ seven. Elauni Bennett led the Blue and Gold in offensive rebounds with four.
KEY MOMENTS | HIGHLIGHTS
1Q — 6:02 / 4 – 10 | Contreras connected with a streaking Em. Bennett outside of the arc. Em. Bennett drove the ball into the paint losing her defender with a spin move and knocking down her first jump shot of the game.
1Q — 5:28 / 7-10 | The Roos took advantage of a defensive rebound from Em. Bennett. Ana Oliveira Dias brought the ball down the court and found an open Kelby Bannerman at the top of the key. Bannerman launched the shot without hesitation, draining her first three of the season.
2Q — 3:34 / 18-41 | Em. Bennett drove the ball into the lane. She pulled up for the jump shot, sinking the basket and picking up a foul on the play. She knocked down the free throw to earn three points on the play.
3Q — 7:55 / 29-49 | Chloe Dallas clocked a pass from Kansas, tipping it to Contreras. Contreras swiftly brought the ball down the court finding Oliveira Dias. Oliveira Dias took her defender one-on-one and snagged the basket.
4Q — 6:34 / 39-65 | El. Bennett drove the ball all the way to the basket. She fired one high on the glass notching back-to-back baskets. On the prior drive, El. Bennett collected her sister’s rebound and went up with the putback, to earn her first points of the game.
STATS TO NOTE
- Bannerman earned a season-high in rebounds, bringing down eight. She nearly doubled her previous best this season of five which she earned against Western Illinois on Nov. 12.
- For the third consecutive game, three Roos played more than 30 minutes: Contreras (35), Em. Bennett (34) and Oliveira Dias (34). Tonight marked the third consecutive over 30-minute appearance for Contreras. Em. Bennett and Contreras average over 30 minutes per game, averaging 31.4 and 31.5 minutes respectively.
- Em. Bennett was perfect from the charity stripe going 7-for-7. Tonight marks the second time she has been perfect from the free throw line this year with five or more attempts.
