Head-Royce outrebounded Redwood Christian 46-9 but could not overcome 22 turnovers and a 41-point night from Nia, falling 53-50 on the road Thursday. The loss dropped the Jayhawks to 6-4 on the season.
Head-Royce scored first on a basket by Leila H. and a free throw from Ella S. After Chisom answered for Redwood Christian, Morgan R. started a 7-0 run with a free throw and then scored three straight second-chance baskets to make it 10-2. Redwood Christian answered behind Nia, who scored eight points as the hosts pulled within 12-11. Leila H. answered with a 3-pointer, then hit another after a basket by Sara. Melina M. followed with two baskets, the second off a turnover, to finish a 7-0 run and give Head-Royce a 22-13 lead, its largest of the game.
Redwood Christian cut into that lead quickly. Nia scored six straight points to make it 22-19, and after Morgan R. scored to push the lead to 24-19, Nia scored the next six as well. Her basket at 25-24 gave Redwood Christian its first lead. The teams traded the lead after that. Hailey H. made two free throws to make it 26-25 and Melina M. scored for a 28-27 edge. Nia's 3-pointer made it 32-29, and Leila H. tied the game at 32 with her third 3-pointer. Nia then made a free throw to put Redwood Christian ahead 33-32, and the hosts never trailed again. Nia's basket made it 40-35, Redwood Christian's largest lead.
Head-Royce stayed close the rest of the way. Morgan R. scored eight points in a late stretch, and her basket and free throw cut the deficit to 45-44. After two Nia free throws, Hailey H. scored to make it 47-46. Morgan R. scored off a turnover to get within 49-48, and Leila H. made two free throws to cut it to 51-50, but Sara's basket made it 53-50 and ended the scoring.
Morgan R. led Head-Royce with 21 points on 9-of-14 shooting and added 11 rebounds (seven offensive), two steals and a blocked shot. Leila H. scored 15 points and made three 3-pointers. Melina M. added seven points, a game-high 16 rebounds, two assists and two steals. Hailey H. contributed six points and nine rebounds, and Ella S. had three steals and five rebounds. The five starters scored all 50 of Head-Royce's points.
The turnovers were the difference. Redwood Christian scored 12 points off Head-Royce's 22 turnovers, while the Jayhawks scored four points off 12 Redwood Christian turnovers. Head-Royce grabbed 22 offensive rebounds but turned them into only six second-chance points. The Jayhawks shot 32.1 percent (18-of-56) from the field and 11-of-22 from the free-throw line. Redwood Christian shot 43.9 percent and made 16 of 23 free throws. Nia finished with 41 points on 13-of-30 shooting and made 14 of 15 free throws. Sara added six points.
Head-Royce (6-4) goes right back on the road Friday, Jan. 26, at Valley Christian.