by GRAND FORKS, N.D. — Kansas City Women’s Basketball (10-21, 6-10) showed its tenacity in a second-half nail-biter against North Dakota (11-18, 6-10), overcoming a 20-point deficit to reclaim the lead with just over two minutes left, but ultimately falling, 79-83, to the Fighting Hawks. Alayna Contreras stunned North Dakota, earning a career-high 35 points after the Fighting Hawks held her scoreless across the first 10 minutes of play.
The Roos faced shooting struggles throughout the first half, but a newfound energy in the third quarter kept them in the game. Contreras imposed her will on UND in the third frame, going 6-of-12 from the field and 5-of-6 from three for a 19-point quarter. Her hot hand brought KC within 10 of North Dakota going into the final ten minutes. The Roos stuck with it until the very end, but critical free throw makes down the stretch allowed North Dakota to walk away with the win.
KC brought down a conference-high 17 offensive rebounds in the loss. Kelby Bannerman had her third 15-plus point performance of conference play with 18 points. The Bennett sisters, Emani Bennett and Elauni Bennett went for three steals each, and El. Bennett brought down 11 rebounds and scored eight points. The Kansas City bench was led by Bannerman and combined for 26 points.
