Kansas City
Wichita State
Shockers Hand 'Roos First Loss, 71-52
11/29/2010 11:20:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Wichita, Kan. -- The UMKC men's basketball team (4-1) saw its perfect start to the season come to an end on Monday night, as the 'Roos fell to Wichita State (4-1) 71-52 at Koch Arena.
Junior Reggie Chamberlain led the UMKC effort, posting a career-high 20 points on 4-of-9 shooting from three-point land, while adding three steals in the loss to his former team.
The 'Roos opened up the game hot from the field, knocking down three three-point baskets in the first 5:34 opening up an 11-8 lead with 14:26 remaining in the half.
Chamberlain's hot shooting keyed the UMKC burst, as the Kansas City native matched his previous career-high of 13 points in the first half, including drilling a three and knocking down the and one free throw that extended the UMKC lead to 18-12
The 'Roos would extend their lead to as many as eight at 20-12, but the lead would quickly evaporate, as Wichita State closed the first half on a 20-0 run, holding the 'Roos scoreless over the final 8:13 of play and taking a 37-23 lead into the break.
UMKC would come out of the intermission with a renewed passion, grabbing four rebounds on its first offensive possession.
The Shockers though, would extend their lead to 20 at 48-28 before the 'Roos would mount their comeback effort with a 10-1 spurt that cut the Wichita State lead to 11 at 49-38 with 9:33 remaining.
The 'Roos would go on to shrink the lead to nine twice, with the latter coming at 57-48 with 5:26 to play.
UMKC could get no closer though, and Wichita State would go to extend its lead to as many as 21 before winning 71-52.
In the contest, Bernard Kamwa led the 'Roos with six rebounds, while Jay Couisnard and Spencer Johnson added five and four, respectively.
The Blue and Gold will be back in action again on Thursday when they open up Summit League at 6:00 p.m. at IPFW.
