Simmons, Byrd, Burns spark Chicago St. to 1st WAC win, 96-82

Mar 4, 2018, 01:33 am

CHICAGO -- Deionte Simmons, Montana Byrd and Glen Burns combined for 58 points as Chicago State turned on the jets in the second half to beat UMKC 96-82, earning its first Western Athletic Conference victory in the regular-season finale on Saturday.

Simons scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, Byrd scored 19 with four 3-pointers and Burns also scored 19, making 11 of 12 at the foul line for the Cougars (3-28, 1-13).

Missouri-Kansas City trailed by two at the half, but Chicago State opened the second half with eight unanswered points -- a 3-pointer by Travon Bell, a 3-point play from Burns and a Byrd layup.

Isaiah Ross hit back-to-back 3s, bringing the Kangaroos as close as 58-55 with 14:37 to play but never got closer.

Ross led UMKC with 24 points and Brandon McKissic added 22.

The Cougars are seeded eighth and open the WAC Tournament March 8 against WAC champion New Mexico State in Las Vegas. The Kangaroos (10-21, 5-9) are the No. 7 seed.