Evan Gilyard’s career-high 33 points lead KC Roos to road win over Western Illinois

Evan Gilyard II scored a career-high 33 points as the Kansas City Roos men’s basketball team beat Western Illinois 83-75 on Monday night in Macomb, Illinois.

Gilyard II made 6 of 7 three-pointers. He also had a career-high eight assists.

The Roos (13-9, 6-4 Summit League) moved into a three-way tie for third place in the conference standings

“Our response to a gut-wrenching loss on Saturday to Omaha was impressive,” Roos coach Billy Donlon said. “Our players played determined instead of deterred.”

Caden Boser added 14 points for the Roos and Marvin Nesbitt Jr. had 12 points and a career-high tying 12 rebounds. Kansas City shot 56.1% from the field and 55% from three-point range.

Will Carius had 18 points for the Leathernecks (13-9, 4-6). Luka Barisic added 17 points. Colton Sandage had 15 points.

The Roos next take on St. Thomas in a 7 p.m. Thursday home game at Swinney Center.

Roos women win

Naomie Alnatas’ 13 fourth-quarter points helped the Kansas City Roos women’s basketball team to a 74-66 home win over Western Illinois.

Alnatas had 22 points and Brooklyn McDavid added 21 for the Roos (16-5, 6-4 Summit League), who are a half-game ahead of North Dakota in third place in the conference standings. Alnatas continues to lead the Summit League in scoring with her ninth 20-point performance in her last 15 games.

Danni Nichols and Elizabeth Lutz each scored 18 points for Western Illinois (12-8, 3-6).

The Roos next travel to St. Paul, Minnesota for a 7 p.m. Thursday game against St. Thomas.