KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Wichita State women's basketball mounted a second-half comeback but came up just short in an 83-78 road loss to Kansas City Friday evening at Municipal Auditorium.
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The Shockers (0-2) outscored the Roos 49-36 over the final two quarters after trailing by as many as 20 in the first half. Wichita State cut the margin to three in the closing minute but couldn't complete the comeback.
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Junior
Ma'Riya Vincent led the Shockers with a career-best 17 points, shooting a perfect 6-for-6 from the field and 5-for-5 at the free-throw line and adding four rebounds, five assists and three steals before fouling out less than a minute into the fourth quarter.
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Freshman
Mari Milton finished with 14 points, seven rebounds and a game-high nine assists. Senior
Clara Koulibaly added 13 points and five rebounds, while freshman
Alexis Leyva chipped in 11 points.
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Kansas City built its advantage early, taking a 16-11 lead after the opening quarter before exploding for 31 points in the second period. The Roos shot 60 percent from the field in the quarter to take a 47-29 lead into halftime.
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Wichita State began chipping away in the third quarter behind Vincent, who scored 10 points in the period. The Shockers also found success on the offensive glass, collecting eight second-chance points in the quarter. A late basket from Koulibaly brought Wichita State within 11, 64-53, entering the fourth.
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The Shockers continued to battle in the final period. A Vincent jumper and two Milton free throws helped trim the deficit, while Leyva's three-pointer with 3:33 remaining brought Wichita State within seven, 78-71. Robinson kept the rally alive, scoring on a fast-break layup before knocking down a fast-break three-pointer with 54 seconds remaining to make it a three-point game at 81-78. Kansas City held on down the stretch to secure the five-point victory.
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The Shockers return to Wichita for their home opener on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 11 a.m. where they will face Missouri State in their annual Kids Day game.
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