Lady Roos split Summit League contests on the road

The women’s basketball team stands in 4th place in the Summit League after a 60-54 loss at South Dakota on Saturday night preceded by a 64-46 victory at Southern Utah last Monday.

South Dakota 60 UMKC 54

The Roos (15-9, 6-6 in the league) were led by senior Dayon Hall-Jones’ 12 points. Junior Kim Nezianya produced her fifth double-double of the season as she tallied 11 points and 14 rebounds.

The Coyotes, 7-5 in the Summit League, took a 7-0 lead and widened their lead to 23-11 midway through the first half. The Roos responded with baskets from Hall-Jones and senior forward Jade Tinner to cut the lead to eight, but the Coyotes closed out the half on a 10-4 run and led 41-27.

The Roos cut the deficit to 52-49 after sophomore Hailey Houser drained a three-pointer, and Nezianya hit a jumper with just three minutes left. The Roos closed to within two points in the final minute but were closed out by the free-throw shooting of Coyotes star Amber Hegge, who totaled 27 points.

UMKC 64 Southern Utah 46

Hall-Jones scored 19 points against the Thunderbirds, 1-10 in the league, while Nezianya added 10.

The Roos silenced the home crowd as they raced to a 21-5 lead after baskets by senior LeAndrea Thomas and sophomore Eilise O’Connor. Defensively, the Roos were brilliant, forcing seven turnovers in the first half to help build a 31-10 lead. Those were the fewest points allowed by the Roos in a half this season.

Though the Thunderbirds came out strong in the second half, the Roos used their inside game to push their lead to 25, and never led by fewer than 18 They forced 26 turnovers for the night .

The Roos will be back in action against the league-leading South Dakota State Jackrabbits in Swinney Recreation Center on Feb. 11 at 4 pm.

kmartin@unews.com