Kansas City
Air Force
Thomas Scores 20 And Morris Adds Double-Double In Win Over Falcons, 64-59
12/22/2008 5:30:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Colorado Springs, Colo. -- UMKC improves to 5-7 on the year following a 64-59 win over Air Force on Monday afternoon. LeAndrea Thomas was the leading scorer for the Kangaroos with a career-high 20 points. Chazny Morris recorded her second straight double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. The Falcons drop to 3-7 on the year at the hands of the Kangaroos.
UMKC would trail for most of the first half after getting off to a sluggish start in the opening minutes. Early foul trouble would force the Kangaroos to change their game plan in the middle of the first half, as the squad had 10 team fouls with 10:29 left.
Despite only shooting 27 percent from the field, UMKC was able to pull it together as the clocked ticked down in the opening 20 minutes thanks to eight first-half points from Mariah Davis. The squad then headed into the locker room down by three, 24-21.
UMKC hit the floor in the second half, and Morris tied the game for the first time since the opening tip at 24-24 with a three. The Kangaroos and the Falcons would take turns sharing the lead in the middle minutes of the second half. It wasn't until the 8:13 mark that UMKC was able to take control courtesy of a Kalei Nance jumper. Thomas then scored five straight points, extending the `Roos lead to six (51-45) with 6:05 remaining. But the Falcons still threatened to come back, as they pulled to within one (53-52) with 4:16 left in the game.
Thomas and Morris would keep Air Force at a distance over the final three minutes of the game with lay-ups and made free throws. The Falcons attempted to apply full court pressure and force UMKC into mistakes, but the Kangaroos handled the pressure with grace. The squad made 6-of-8 free throws with under a minute remaining to close out the five-point victory.
Morris scored 16 of her 18 points in the second half, while Thomas finished 13-of-18 from the free throw line. The Kangaroos buckled down on defense in the second half, recording 17 steals on the game and forcing Air Force into 29 turnovers.
The Kangaroos head off for the holiday to celebrate with their families and will get back to work on Dec. 27 with practice. UMKC will prepare to host its last non-conference game of the season on Dec. 31 against Central Missouri inside Swinney Recreation Center. Tip-off between the Kangaroos and the Jennies is set for 2 p.m.
