Kansas City finished its non-conference slate with a win at home over the Bellevue Bruins.
The Bellevue Bruins entered Thursday’s contest at 6-6 with a notable win over Dakota State University. The Bruins dropped a mid-November game against Summit League member South Dakota in Vermillion.
Kansas City came into the matchup 3-7, having dropped its last three games after defeating Bradley in overtime at the end of November.
First Quarter
After a scoreless opening minute, Sanaa’ St. Andre dropped the first bucket for Kansas City. St. Andre added another basket, combining with RaVon Nero and E’Lease Stafford for the Roos’ first eight points. Bellevue also tallied eight to tie it up before the first break.
Out of the break, Machia Mullens found Jocelyn Ewell for an open shot in the paint to give the Roos a two-point lead. Stafford put one in to grow the lead to four, followed by one behind the arc to help the Roos jump out to a 15-8 lead. Kansas City closed the first quarter on an 11-0 run, making it 19-8. Stafford tallied nine points in the first frame.
Second Quarter
Tamia Ugass got in on the action and took the first bucket of the second quarter for the Roos. After a bit of a scoring drought, St. Andre drained a jumper from free-throw territory followed by a shot beyond the arc to put the Roos up 26-15. Up 26-18, Nero sank two from the charity strip to grow the lead to 10. Kansas City led 30-21 heading into the media timeout.
The Bruins notched one out of the break to bring themselves back within six, but the Roos quickly increased it to eight. Nero hit all net on a three-pointer to make it 37-28 with two minutes left in the first half. Bellevue would not go away easy, though, as some field goals and foul shots made it 37-32 Roos with just over a minute in the first half. Zaire Harrell then committed an offensive foul to turn the ball over. The Roos kept the five-point lead going into the intermission.
Third Quarter
Just seconds into the third quarter, Miranda Hennings and Asha Scott combined for five points to tie the game, prompting Dionnah Jackson-Durrett to call a timeout. Hennings drained another three after the break to take the Bruins’ first lead since mid-first quarter. Down 39-40, Ugass hit a pair of free-throws to regain the Roos lead, and St. Andre followed with a monster block. The Roos led 47-40 going into the media break.
With 1:42 left in the third, Stafford hit a second-chance shot to increase the lead to 10 points. The Roos led 54-46 going into the fourth.
Fourth Quarter
Bellevue closed the gap early in the fourth quarter, getting itself within four. A steal and good move in the paint made it 56-54, forcing Jackson-Durrett to take a break.
Out of the breather, Nero got aggressive in the paint and put one down. A Bruins turnover at the other end of the court gave the Roos a chance to increase their lead, and Nero took advantage from behind the arc. Nero would take the Roos next basket as well to make it 63-54. Bellevue called a timeout down by nine halfway through the final frame.
The Roos were able to pull away and take the contest, 74-58.
Dani Winslow finished with 16 rebounds, adding to the total that has her fifth in the nations in total rebounds, and seventh in rebounds per game. Nero tallied 23 points while Stafford added 22 and St. Andre contributed 13. The Roos totaled 5 blocks as a team.
Kansas City will open conference play on Dec. 19 in Vermillion, followed by a trip to Brookings on Dec. 21.