`Roos Face Bethune-Cookman And Troy In Lady Osprey Holiday Tournament
12/17/2010 5:30:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Kansas City, Mo. -- The UMKC women's basketball team is in Jacksonville, Fla., to compete in the Lady Osprey Holiday Tournament. The Kangaroos will face Bethune-Cookman on Dec. 18 at 12 p.m., and take on Troy on Dec. 19 at 12 p.m.
The `Roos are 3-7 overall and 0-2 in The Summit League. UMKC is coming off of a 72-48 loss at Missouri.
The `Roos worked their way to a successful 2009-10 campaign that was highlighted by the program's first ever Division I postseason appearance. The `Roos took on Memphis in the inaugural Women' s Basketball Invitational.
Head coach Candace Whitaker is back for her fourth+ season and returning with her are four starters and 10 letterwinners from the 2009-10 record breaking squad. Whitaker welcomes back two seniors, six juniors and two sophomores. The Kangaroos will also welcome five newcomers, four freshmen and one sophomore, to the 2010-11 team.
Opponent Preview - Bethune-Cookman
Bethune-Cookman is 3-4 overall and 0-1 in the conference, coming off of a 71-41 loss to Nicholls. The Wildcats are led by Demetria Frank with 15.4 points per game and Jasmine Daniels is averaging 10.1 points.
Series Record
This is the first meeting between the two.
Opponent Preview - Troy
Troy is 2-7 overall, coming off of a 63-50 loss to Florida Gulf Coast. The Trojans have three players averaging double figures and are led by Donette McNair with 14.6 points and 10.3 rebounds per contest. DeAngela Sword is averaging 12.4 points and Kirsten Smith is averaging 10 points per game. Troy will face North Florida on Dec. 18.
Series Record
This is the first meeting between the two.
Be A Part of the Action
Fans can listen LIVE to T.J. Jackson on KCWJ 1030 AM The Light for Saturday's game against the Wildcats and 1510 AM for Sunday's contest against the Trojans. Fans can also go to www.unfospreys.com for live stats.
UMKC Statistical Leaders
Dayon Hall-Jones continues to lead the `Roos with 12.6 points per game. The junior has scored 20 points against two opponents this season and hit 10 points or more in five games. The Dallas, Texas, native scored a career-high 21 points against Drake last season.
Kim Nezianya is averaging 5.5 rebounds per game.
Injury Report
UMKC has had to go without two players for several key games this season. Brianna Eldridge has missed eight games this season with an ankle injury but is back for this weekend's tournament. Freshman Ashli Hill missed last week's game at Missouri due to a concussion but was back at practice today and will potentially see some time this weekend.
Nezianya Doubles Up
Kim Nezianya recorded her second double-double of the season at Missouri, with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Nezianya finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds against Texas-Arlington.
The Carrollton, Texas, native recorded three double-doubles last season as a freshman. Her last double-double was against Oral Roberts in The Summit League Tournament on March 8, where Nezianya finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Hill Just Misses UMKC Record
Freshman Ashli Hill recorded eight blocks in the 60-58 loss at IPFW. Hill just missed the UMKC school record for most blocks in a game. The current school record is nine blocks, set by Joy Ommen against William Penn back on Jan. 6, 1984. Hill did however tie the school record for most blocks in a half with five.
Just nine games in to her collegiate basketball career, Hill already ranks fifth for most blocks by a freshman in the UMKC record books. Hill leads The Summit League in total blocks but is fifth with 2.3 blocks per game.
Rough Summit League Start
The Kangaroos dropped their opening weekend in the The Summit League, 0-2. UMKC fell at Oakland, 75-50, and was then edged by IPFW 60-58. Last season, the `Roos began Summit League play, 1-1, notching an 81-66 win over Centenary but then falling to Oral Roberts, 99-72.
Strong Off the Bench
The Kangaroos have been a force coming off the bench so far this season. The UMKC bench has out-scored its opponents in all but two contests this season. The `Roos bench combined for 48 points against Rockhurst and out-scored the Cardinals, 35-8, despite the loss.
Hall-Jones Leading `Roos
Dayon Hall-Jones leads the Kangaroos with 12.0 points per game so far this season. The junior recorded big performances against Drake, Rockhurst and Texas-Arlington. Hall-Jones has finished in double-figures in six games this season and led the Kangaroos in scoring in five. The Dallas, Texas, native scored a career-high 21 points against Drake last season on Nov. 13. Hall-Jones has recorded 20 points against two opponents this season.
Still Tough At Home
Texas-Arlington snapped the `Roos 11-0 Swinney Recreation Center win streak on Saturday night, but UMKC is still tough at home. The Kangaroos are now 11-1 inside the SRC for the past three seasons. Prior to Saturday's contest, the `Roos hadn't suffered a loss there since Feb. 2, 1009.
Women's Hoops To Be Aired On KCWJ 1030 AM The Light & Hot Talk 1510 AM
Kangaroo fans will now have the opportunity to follow the UMKC women's basketball both home and away this season. During the 2010-11 campaign, over 80 percent of Kangaroo women's basketball games will be broadcast on the radio on KCWJ 1030 AM The Light and Hot Talk 1510 AM. T.J. Jackson will call all the play-by-play action for the 'Roos for the fifth straight season.
The Summit League Releases Women's Basketball Preseason Poll; `Roos Tabbed Sixth
The UMKC women's basketball team has been picked to finish sixth in The Summit League Preseason Poll after receiving a total of 253 points in a vote of the league's coaches, SIDs and members of the media. Oral Roberts is tabbed to finish first in The League this year, after claiming the 2009-10 regular season title.
School (1st place votes), Points
1. Oral Roberts (26), 438
2. South Dakota State (4), 393
3. Oakland, 336
4. IPFW, 285
5. North Dakota State, 274
6. UMKC, 253
7. Southern Utah, 162
Western Illinois, 162
9. IUPUI, 99
10. Centenary, 48
`Roos Break Even In 2009-10
UMKC finished the 2009-10 season with a 16-16 (.500) overall record, which is the second best winning percentage for the women's program since its admittance into The Summit League (former Mid-Continent Conference).
Whitaker Leads UMKC To School Win Record
The Kangaroos finished with a 12-6 Summit League record last season. UMKC's .667 winning percentage is the second best in school history and the 12 league victories are a school record.
Big Shoes To Fill
Despite returning 10 letterwinners from last year's squad, the `Roos will have big shoes to fill after losing Chazny Morris to graduation. Morris earned first team all-Summit League honors after ranking fourth in the league in scoring with 15.2 points per game in league play only. The honor was Morris' second consecutive first team all-league selection.
The Oakland, Calif., native also led the Kangaroos in scoring for the second straight season and broke the UMKC school record for career points on Dec. 29. The senior finished with 1,806 points, which also ranks seventh all-time in The Summit League in the category.
Doyle Joins UMKC Women's Basketball Staff As An Assistant Coach
Meredith Doyle joined the UMKC women's basketball program as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. Doyle joins the Kangaroos after serving as an assistant coach for Stephen F. Austin for three seasons. Doyle joins associate head coach Bruce Erickson (second season), assistant coach Wyketha Harrell (fourth season), director of basketball operations Jessica Trahan (third season)and graduate assistant Heather Wimberly (second season).
The `Roos are 3-7 overall and 0-2 in The Summit League. UMKC is coming off of a 72-48 loss at Missouri.
The `Roos worked their way to a successful 2009-10 campaign that was highlighted by the program's first ever Division I postseason appearance. The `Roos took on Memphis in the inaugural Women' s Basketball Invitational.
Head coach Candace Whitaker is back for her fourth+ season and returning with her are four starters and 10 letterwinners from the 2009-10 record breaking squad. Whitaker welcomes back two seniors, six juniors and two sophomores. The Kangaroos will also welcome five newcomers, four freshmen and one sophomore, to the 2010-11 team.
Opponent Preview - Bethune-Cookman
Bethune-Cookman is 3-4 overall and 0-1 in the conference, coming off of a 71-41 loss to Nicholls. The Wildcats are led by Demetria Frank with 15.4 points per game and Jasmine Daniels is averaging 10.1 points.
Series Record
This is the first meeting between the two.
Opponent Preview - Troy
Troy is 2-7 overall, coming off of a 63-50 loss to Florida Gulf Coast. The Trojans have three players averaging double figures and are led by Donette McNair with 14.6 points and 10.3 rebounds per contest. DeAngela Sword is averaging 12.4 points and Kirsten Smith is averaging 10 points per game. Troy will face North Florida on Dec. 18.
Series Record
This is the first meeting between the two.
Be A Part of the Action
Fans can listen LIVE to T.J. Jackson on KCWJ 1030 AM The Light for Saturday's game against the Wildcats and 1510 AM for Sunday's contest against the Trojans. Fans can also go to www.unfospreys.com for live stats.
UMKC Statistical Leaders
Dayon Hall-Jones continues to lead the `Roos with 12.6 points per game. The junior has scored 20 points against two opponents this season and hit 10 points or more in five games. The Dallas, Texas, native scored a career-high 21 points against Drake last season.
Kim Nezianya is averaging 5.5 rebounds per game.
Injury Report
UMKC has had to go without two players for several key games this season. Brianna Eldridge has missed eight games this season with an ankle injury but is back for this weekend's tournament. Freshman Ashli Hill missed last week's game at Missouri due to a concussion but was back at practice today and will potentially see some time this weekend.
Nezianya Doubles Up
Kim Nezianya recorded her second double-double of the season at Missouri, with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Nezianya finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds against Texas-Arlington.
The Carrollton, Texas, native recorded three double-doubles last season as a freshman. Her last double-double was against Oral Roberts in The Summit League Tournament on March 8, where Nezianya finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Hill Just Misses UMKC Record
Freshman Ashli Hill recorded eight blocks in the 60-58 loss at IPFW. Hill just missed the UMKC school record for most blocks in a game. The current school record is nine blocks, set by Joy Ommen against William Penn back on Jan. 6, 1984. Hill did however tie the school record for most blocks in a half with five.
Just nine games in to her collegiate basketball career, Hill already ranks fifth for most blocks by a freshman in the UMKC record books. Hill leads The Summit League in total blocks but is fifth with 2.3 blocks per game.
Rough Summit League Start
The Kangaroos dropped their opening weekend in the The Summit League, 0-2. UMKC fell at Oakland, 75-50, and was then edged by IPFW 60-58. Last season, the `Roos began Summit League play, 1-1, notching an 81-66 win over Centenary but then falling to Oral Roberts, 99-72.
Strong Off the Bench
The Kangaroos have been a force coming off the bench so far this season. The UMKC bench has out-scored its opponents in all but two contests this season. The `Roos bench combined for 48 points against Rockhurst and out-scored the Cardinals, 35-8, despite the loss.
Hall-Jones Leading `Roos
Dayon Hall-Jones leads the Kangaroos with 12.0 points per game so far this season. The junior recorded big performances against Drake, Rockhurst and Texas-Arlington. Hall-Jones has finished in double-figures in six games this season and led the Kangaroos in scoring in five. The Dallas, Texas, native scored a career-high 21 points against Drake last season on Nov. 13. Hall-Jones has recorded 20 points against two opponents this season.
Still Tough At Home
Texas-Arlington snapped the `Roos 11-0 Swinney Recreation Center win streak on Saturday night, but UMKC is still tough at home. The Kangaroos are now 11-1 inside the SRC for the past three seasons. Prior to Saturday's contest, the `Roos hadn't suffered a loss there since Feb. 2, 1009.
Women's Hoops To Be Aired On KCWJ 1030 AM The Light & Hot Talk 1510 AM
Kangaroo fans will now have the opportunity to follow the UMKC women's basketball both home and away this season. During the 2010-11 campaign, over 80 percent of Kangaroo women's basketball games will be broadcast on the radio on KCWJ 1030 AM The Light and Hot Talk 1510 AM. T.J. Jackson will call all the play-by-play action for the 'Roos for the fifth straight season.
The Summit League Releases Women's Basketball Preseason Poll; `Roos Tabbed Sixth
The UMKC women's basketball team has been picked to finish sixth in The Summit League Preseason Poll after receiving a total of 253 points in a vote of the league's coaches, SIDs and members of the media. Oral Roberts is tabbed to finish first in The League this year, after claiming the 2009-10 regular season title.
School (1st place votes), Points
1. Oral Roberts (26), 438
2. South Dakota State (4), 393
3. Oakland, 336
4. IPFW, 285
5. North Dakota State, 274
6. UMKC, 253
7. Southern Utah, 162
Western Illinois, 162
9. IUPUI, 99
10. Centenary, 48
`Roos Break Even In 2009-10
UMKC finished the 2009-10 season with a 16-16 (.500) overall record, which is the second best winning percentage for the women's program since its admittance into The Summit League (former Mid-Continent Conference).
Whitaker Leads UMKC To School Win Record
The Kangaroos finished with a 12-6 Summit League record last season. UMKC's .667 winning percentage is the second best in school history and the 12 league victories are a school record.
Big Shoes To Fill
Despite returning 10 letterwinners from last year's squad, the `Roos will have big shoes to fill after losing Chazny Morris to graduation. Morris earned first team all-Summit League honors after ranking fourth in the league in scoring with 15.2 points per game in league play only. The honor was Morris' second consecutive first team all-league selection.
The Oakland, Calif., native also led the Kangaroos in scoring for the second straight season and broke the UMKC school record for career points on Dec. 29. The senior finished with 1,806 points, which also ranks seventh all-time in The Summit League in the category.
Doyle Joins UMKC Women's Basketball Staff As An Assistant Coach
Meredith Doyle joined the UMKC women's basketball program as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. Doyle joins the Kangaroos after serving as an assistant coach for Stephen F. Austin for three seasons. Doyle joins associate head coach Bruce Erickson (second season), assistant coach Wyketha Harrell (fourth season), director of basketball operations Jessica Trahan (third season)and graduate assistant Heather Wimberly (second season).
Players Mentioned
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