LAS VEGAS - Fifth-seeded Missouri-Kansas City defeated No. 4 Utah Valley, 80-78, in the first quarterfinal game of the WAC Tournament on Thursday. The Kangaroos advance to play top-seed NM State on Friday at 6 p.m.
UMKC improved its shooting in the second half by nearly 20 percent to erase a 13-point halftime deficit. The Roos ended the game on a 9-3 run as the Wolverines went cold shooting to allow the Roos' late run.
Martez Harrison scored 24 points, his 11th 20-plus point performance of the season, to lead the Roos. Darius Austin collected his second double-double of the season with 12 points and a game-high 16 rebounds and LaVell Boyd scored 18, including 4-of-5 from three-point range.
Utah Valley was led by 19 points from Jaden Jackson. Konner Frey scored 15 points with nine rebounds to just miss his fifth double-double of the year while Marcel Davis scored 13 points with nine assists in the loss.