KC Roos men defeat South Dakota State despite big game from Lawrence native Zeke Mayo

KC men’s basketball edged out the South Dakota State Jackrabbits (14-12, 7-4 Summit League) on Thursday, winning 72-67 at Swinney Center.

Khristion Courseault led the Roos (12-15, 6-6 Summit League) with 17 points off the bench. He sunk all eight of his free throws and had a late highlight bucket inside to help seal the win.

Jamar Brown recorded a double-double with 16 points, 10 rebounds and a steal.

In a losing effort, Lawrence high alum Zeke Mayo led the contest with 19 points. He’s averaging 18.7 points for the Jackrabbits this year.

While the Roos spent just under 38 minutes with the lead, they never put the Jackrabbits fully away.

KC never led by more than nine, and the game might have been closer if not for nine missed free throws by the Jackrabbits (16-for-25 FTs).

The Roos went 18-for-21 at the line.

Next up, KC hits the road to Vermillion, South Dakota, for a matchup against South Dakota. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 22.

KC Roos women’s basketball falls at South Dakota State

On the women’s side, the Roos’ (11-16, 2-10 Summit League) road struggles continued with their 10th road loss of the season in Brookings, South Dakota.

The KC women’s team fell 74-53 to the South Dakota State Jackrabbits (19-5, 11-0).

Jackrabbits forward Brooklyn Meyer led South Dakota State with 25 points on the night on 9-of-13 shooting. Meyer was followed by Paige Meyer (12 points) and Madison Mathiowetz (11 points).

In the 21-point loss for the Roos, Alayna Contreras led the team with 12 points. No KC starter scored more than six points.

The Jackrabbits managed 20 points off the Roos’ 14 turnovers on Thursday, as well as 34 points in the paint.

The Roos never led on Thursday, while the Jackrabbits spent 38:06 of game time out in front.

Next up, KC heads back home to host South Dakota at Swinney Center on Feb. 22. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.