Kangaroos Open Up Regular Season With Cyclones
11/14/2008 2:45:00 PM | Women's Basketball
UMKC will open up the 2008-09 regular season in Ames, Iowa, on Sunday, Nov. 16 against Big 12-member Iowa State. Tip-off between the Kangaroos and the Cyclones is set for 1:00 p.m. at Hilton Coliseum.
The Kangaroos were able to get an exhibition game in on Saturday, Nov. 8 against Rockhurst University at Swinney Recreation Center. Leading the way to a 96-61 victory was a 26-point surge by junior Chazny Morris.
Iowa State claimed exhibition wins over Buena Vista (74-37) and Missouri Western State (80-55). Seniors Heather Ezell and Nicky Wieben had outstanding performances in their exhibition tests. Ezell averaged 15 points per game, including hitting six treys against Missouri Western. Wieben looked strong as well, averaging 13 points and going 10-of-15 from the field.
As of Nov. 1, the Cyclones were currently receiving votes on the AP Top 25 poll (66) and the ESPN/USA Today Poll (63). Iowa State was picked to finish third in the Big 12 in the 2008-09 season.
UMKC wrapped up the 2007-08 season with an 11-20 overall record and went 3-15 in The Summit League. The no. seven seeded Kangaroos post season was highlighted by an upset over no. two seeded Western Illinois in The Summit League Championships, 62-55. UMKC lost out in the semi-final match to IUPUI, 54-42.
The Kangaroos return four players from last year's squad and welcome nine newcomers.
`Roos Rock Against Rockhurst
Four players landed in double-digits to lead the UMKC women's basketball team to a 96-61 victory over Rockhurst University in an exhibition match on Saturday afternoon. The Kangaroos were led by junior guard Chazny Morris, who scored 26 points and pulled down eight rebounds.
Heather Davis would finish the day with 18 total points scored, going 5-for-7 from the three-point line. Kalei Nance contributed 16 points and six rebounds while Kenya Howard sunk four field goals and a pair of free throws for 10 points.
Big Ups to the Freshman
Heather Davis came out blazing in her first contest in a Kangaroo uniform. Davis shot 5-for-7 from the three-point line and finished the exhibition contest with 18 total points.
Fierce Freshmen
Head Coach Candace Whitaker has a lot of newbie's in the lineup this season but that doesn' t scare her or her seven freshman. Four freshmen saw action on the floor on Saturday afternoon against Rockhurst.
Brianna Eldridge and LeAndrea Thomas earned the starting nod, while Kristin Aldridge and Heather Davis came ready to play right off the bench. The four freshman combined for 93 minutes (23.25 avg.) and 41 total points (10.25 avg.).
Davis represented her freshman class well, scoring 18 points. Aldridge finished the day with nine points, while Eldridge and Thomas both scored seven.
Eldridge also posted a game high (along with Chazny Morris) four steals.
Big Time Numbers
The game against Iowa State will be a real eye opener for the newcomers, as they'll get to experience what collegiate women's basketball is really about.
In the 2007-08 season, Iowa State averaged over 9,000 fans at their home games. Hilton Coliseum, home of the Cyclones, can hold up to 14,000 spectators. At their exhibition match with Missouri Western, the Cyclones had 9,859 fans in attendance.
For UMKC in the 2007-08 season, the Kangaroos had 4,244 fans (303 avg.) in attendance at Swinney Recreation Center.
