The Oakland University women’s basketball team lost a close one to Kansas City 59-53 at the O’rena Saturday.

Junior guard Victoria Lipscomb shot 4-7 beyond the arc, finishing with 14 points. Freshman forward Olivia Nash had 12 points and five rebounds.

“We didn’t hit really any of our shots toward the end and that’s really the most frustrating part because we had the game right there in our hands,” Lipscomb said.

After snapping their five-game losing streak in a game against third-place South Dakota, which saw a season-high 54 rebounds, the Grizzlies were looking to keep the momentum going as they took on the Kangaroos of Kansas City.

Kansas City jumped out in front, getting off to a 5-0 start. Oakland answered with five points from Nash and a three-pointer from Lipscomb to make it 8-5 with just under 16 minutes remaining until the half.

With a two-point lead over Kansas City, sophomore guard Peyton Apsey stole the ball and took it down the court for a fastbreak layup to extend Oakland’s lead to 15-11.

After a missed basket at the shot clock buzzer from Lipscomb, freshman forward Sinclair Russell grabbed the rebound and made a layup with eight minutes left until halftime, putting Oakland back up by one point.

It was the second consecutive start for Russell and the second of her career. She finished the game with 12 points and four rebounds in 29 minutes of play.

“She got to the free throw line seven times and we’re really looking for people to attack,” head coach Beckie Francis said. “She’s really coming along. She’s really developing right at the right time.”

At the one minute mark, UMKC junior guard Eilise O’Connor hit a three-pointer to tie the game 29-29. Nash answered with a three of her own, giving Oakland a 32-29 lead going into halftime.

Both teams began the second half slow as Oakland shot 1-4 and Kansas City shot 2-6 early on.

When the Roos got to within one point, freshman guard Elena Popkey answered by grabbing her own rebound and going in for the layup to give Oakland a 36-33 lead with 14 minutes remaining.

Popkey finished the game with eight points and five rebounds.

Oakland was in control of the game until Kansas City went on a 6-0 run to go on top 51-48 with five minutes left to play.

“I think UMKC hit some big shots,” Francis said. “Their experienced players. (Ashli) Hill and (Eilise) O’Connor, when the game was on the line. they were hitting those shots. Ours didn’t fall in.”

With 30 seconds left in the game and the Grizzlies down by two points, Popkey missed the go-ahead three-pointer. Francis was still impressed.

“I love that she had the guts to take that as a freshman,” Francis said. “Some of those are going to go in and some of those don’t.”

Sophomore guard Lexis Hardiek was 6-8 three-point shooting and scored 18 points for the Kangaroos. Her teammate, junior guard Eilise O’Connor, had 21 points and was 10-10 at the free throw line.

Oakland finished the game with 31 rebounds and 13 turnovers. They shot 26.9 percent in the second half and 36.4 percent overall.

The Grizzlies will take on Fort Wayne Feb. 23 at 2 p.m. It is the last home game of the season for the women. Fans are asked to wear pink to raise breast cancer awareness and to support The Kay Yow Foundation.