The Roos led after each of the first three quarters but yielded a run to the Coyotes in the fourth which sent the game into an extra period. In overtime, Kansas City was outscored by South Dakota 14-9 and didn’t scored a field goal over the game’s final four minutes. Tierra Trotter guided the Roos in scoring, putting up a game-high 20 points, five rebounds, two assists and a block while shooting 7-15 from the floor and going 4-5 from the free throw line.
In the early stages, Kansas City took control of the game with stifling defense, allowing just two points from the Coyotes after the first quarter of play and taking a 11 point advantage in that span. Although South Dakota’s offense woke up in the second quarter, KC remained composed, connecting in key baskets to create enough distance to take a four point lead into halftime. the third proved to be an equal affair as both teams matched each other on the scoreboard, at 15-15 in that frame.
Kansas City’s lead grew to as much as six points following one of Trotter’s mid-range jumpers, 47-41, but the Roos allowed a 7-0 Coyote run that saw their lead evaporate with just under five minutes to play. With the game’s fate waiting in the balance and the Roos down three points, Trotter pulled-up for a clutch triple that tied the game at 56-56 with under a minute to play in the fourth. No more scoring was ushered into regulation, leading to overtime.
Despite four quick points for the Roos in the first minute of OT, Kansas City struggled to score the basketball when they weren’t at the free throw line, leading to South Dakota’s late surge that made the difference. Kelby Bannermann aided the Roos cause, scoring 16 points, grabbing seven rebounds and blocking four shots against the Coyotes. Zaire Harrell joined the double figure scoring crew by posting 12 points in addition to hauling in five rebounds and nabbing two steals. Elauni Bennett also grabbed nine rebounds and scored seven points for KC.
Kansas City forced 18 turnovers on the Coyotes and turned those into 23 points of their own. The Roos also shot the ball at a better clip than South Dakota, going 41% from the field to USD’s 35%. However, 25% shooting from three point territory and a minus-16 rebounding differential toward Kansas City proved to be the Roos undoing in the tight defeat to the Coyotes.
The Roos will travel to Brookings, S.D. for a Valentine’s Day tilt with South Dakota State.
date: 2026-02-13 04:26:00