MACOMB, Ill. - In
a battle for the No. 3 seed in the upcoming Summit League Tournament Western Illinois
women's basketball (11-15, 7-8) was unable to control UMKC's (17-10, 8-7)
quickness and physicality and spoiled Western's senior night celebration. UMKC
used a second half 14-0 run to put the game out of reach and cruise to the
84-69 victory.
The Kangaroos collected the wire-to-wire victory thanks to
an outstanding performance from senior guard Dayon Hall-Jones, who had a senior
night of her own with 33 points, seven assists and four steals.
UMKC outrebounded Western 42-34 and converted 21
Leatherneck turnovers into 21 points. A bright spot was Western's bench, which
contributed 32 points on the night.
UMKC led a fast-paced and physical game, 11-8, with
16:21 left in the first half. Saule Kontautaite collected the first eight points
for Western. The Kangaroos continued to control the pace and led 17-10 at the
12:30 mark.
Western fought back after a Rebecca Henricson fastbreak
layup and trailed 19-16 with 11 minutes left before the break.
However, UMKC regained control and extended its lead to
33-22 powered by Dayon Hall-Jones with just over four minutes left before
halftime.
The Leathernecks surged back as the first half wound down
and a Michele Salvatori layup made it 33-31 with 1:26 on the clock.
At halftime, UMKC led 39-34 and were led by Hall-Jones' 18
points while the Leathernecks were paced by 10 points a piece from Kontautaite
and Jackie Rieger.
The 'Roos shot 40.5 percent from the floor including five
three-pointers while the Leathernecks shot 46.2 percent but only converted two
of its three-point attempts. Western's bench collected 16 first-half points.
The second half opened with sluggish play fro both sides but
UMKC was able to stretch its lead to 42-34 with an Elise O'Connor
three-pointer.
Sadie Webb drilled a triple to keep Western close but
Hall-Jones answered with a three of her own to make it 58-47 at the 12:17 mark.
Webb continued to carry the leathernecks with five more quick points to bring
Western within six, 58-52 at the 11:31 mark.
Valencia Kelly knocked down a jumper to cut UMKC's advantage to just
four at the 10:53 mark but that would be as close as the home team would get.
UMKC used a 14-0 run to pull away and led 72-54 with just
under eight minutes to play.
The game continued to spiral out of control for the Leathernecks, an Ashli Hill three-pointer gave the Kangaroos its largest lead of the
night (22) with 4:11 left in the contest. The game would go to the visitors,
84-69, as UMKC firms its grasp on the No. 3 seed for The Summit League
Tournament.
Kontautaite finished with a team-high 13 points while Kelly
and Rieger both finished with 10.
The Leathernecks will finish its home season on Monday night
with South Dakota visiting Western Hall for a 7 p.m. start. The Coyotes fell in
Vermillion, S.D. earlier this season, 78-57.
#WIUAthletics
