LAS VEGAS - In a game of runs, it was the UMKC Roos coming out ahead when the final buzzer sounded, defeating the UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros, 77-69, in the quarterfinal round of the 2017 WAC Basketball Tournamnet on Wednesday afternoon at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.
The Vaqueros held a 19-10 lead after the first half as it looked early like UTRGV would cruise to a win but UMKC had other plans as the Roos outscored UTRGV, 21-11, in the second quarter to take a one-point lead into the break at 31-30.
UTRGV looked to have regrouped at halftime but the Roos kept it close and a 28-16 fourth quarter was enough to send UMKC to the semifinal rounds and a meeting with top-seed NM State.
UMKC was led by 19 points and nine rebounds from Kristen Moore. Ceidra Coleman added 14 points while Lyndsay Leiken added 13 points. The Roos shot 60.0% in the final quarter to earn the win.
UTRGV was led by 30 points from Shawnte' Goff. Hildur Bjorg Kjartansdottir added 14 points and eight rebounds. The Vaqueros shot 94.4% on free throws but just 38.3% from the field.