Kansas City Men’s Basketball Falls to Iona in High-Scoring Game

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Kansas City Men’s Basketball (1-2) lost to Iona (2-0) 105-91 in a thrilling game on November 11. The matchup featured a total of 196 points scored, marking Kansas City’s highest point total against a Division One opponent since February 5, 2022.

C.J. Evans led Kansas City with 23 points, achieving this milestone on 10-of-14 shooting. He also contributed five assists and three steals during the game. Kansas City struggled initially but increased their tempo, taking a 31-29 lead thanks to an and-one play by Evans. This momentum was short-lived as Iona surged ahead with a 12-point run.

Throughout the game, Kansas City showed resilience, narrowing the gap to just three points with a 9-2 run in the first half. However, they ended the half trailing by five points.

The Gaels began the second half with an 18-5 run, establishing a 23-point lead late in the game. Kansas City managed to reduce the deficit to 12 points but could not close the gap further.

Evans’ performance marked the first 20-point game for a Kansas City player this season, while Jason Petty and others contributed significantly, combining for a total of 54 points in the paint. Kansas City’s defense was also noteworthy, as they registered a season-high 11 steals, converting Iona’s 18 turnovers into 27 points.

Next, Kansas City will embark on a challenging road trip, beginning with a matchup against Texas on November 15.