KC Roos can’t hold nine-point halftime lead and lose at McNeese State

UMKC was looking to pull ahead of the .500 mark Tuesday night in Louisiana but couldn’t hold onto a halftime lead.

Sha’markus Kennedy recorded a triple-double with 17 points, 10 rebounds and 10 blocks and McNeese State came from behind to beat the Roos 82-73.

Trailing by nine at halftime, the Cowboys opened the second half with an 11-3 run, tied it at 48 on Trey Johnson’s free throw, then pulled ahead for good, 60-59, on A.J. Lawson’s free throw with 6:24 to play.

Lawson scored 30 points with five assists for the Cowboys (4-6), who had a season-high 12 blocks and outscored UMKC 50-32 in the second half.

Jahshire Hardnett had 16 points for the Roos (5-6). Marvin Nesbitt Jr. added 14 points. Javan White had 10 points.

Next up for the Roos is a 4 p.m. Saturday game against Kansas at the Sprint Center.