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KANSAS CITY – UMKC used a 22-2 run to open the second half and then hung on for a 69-62 win over Eastern Illinois in the final game of the Plaza Lights Classic.  UMKC improved to 1-6, EIU fell to 2-5.

The Panthers led 32-29 at the half as they took advantage of nine second chance points after a 21-13 first half rebound advantage.   Sabina Oroszova and Jordyne Crunk each had nine first half points while Arnisha Thomas added eight off the bench.

Oroszova picked up her third foul during the first minute of the second half and UMKC took advantage of the mismatch.  Taylor Leathers and Kim Nezianya combined to score the first ten points of the second half.  Leathers started the run with a 3-pointer.  Nezianya converted a pair of free throws and a lay-up. 

Grace Mitchell extended the Kangaroos lead to 17 points with 13:22 to play with a jumper in the lane.  EIU then turned to a freshman post player as Oroszova picked up her fourth foul.  Kaycee Kallenberger scored six points off the bench to go with five rebounds (four offensive) as the Panthers stopped a 22-2 run.

EIU cut the margin to three points with 3:31 to play on a jumper by Oroszova as the junior forward led all players with 26 points.  Leathers answered with a pair of free throws to push the lead to six as UMKC was 20-of-22 from the free throw line including 14-of-16 in the second half.

Oroszova's 3-pointer with 39 seconds left cut the lead to four points before Eilise O'Connor closed out the game at the free throw line.  O'Connor led UMKC with 22 points.  Nezianya and Leathers both scored in double figures with Nezianya at 14 and Leathers at 11 points.

Crunk and Katlyn Payne joined Oroszova in double figures for EIU.  Crunk had 12 and Payne 10.  Payne led EIU with eight rebounds as the Panthers held a 43-29 rebound advantage including 19 offensive rebounds.

EIU returns to action on Wednesday with a 5 p.m. game at Bradley.