UMKC Women's Basketball Hosts North Dakota State Wednesday Afternoon
12/28/2010 9:02:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Kansas City, Mo. -- The UMKC women's basketball team is back at home on Dec. 29 at 2 p.m., playing host to North Dakota State. The Kangaroos are coming off of successful tournament play in Jacksonville, Fla. The `Roos went 2-0 in the Lady Osprey Holiday Tournament, defeating Bethune-Cookman, 60-51 and Troy, 62-55.
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
North Dakota State is 5-5 overall this season at 1-0 in The Summit League. The Bison cancelled a game with Dakota State on Dec. 20, so their last contest was against Creighton where North Dakota State suffered a 54-44 loss. The Bison defeated South Dakota State at Brookings on Dec. 4, 78-71.
The Bison have four players averaging double figures, led by Katie Birkel with 16.6 points and 3.2 assists per game. Danielle DeGagne is averaging 13.8 points, Janae Burich is averaging 12.4 points and Abby Plucker is close to averaging a double-double with 10.7 points and 9.9 rebounds per contest.
Head coach Carolyn DeHoff is entering her third season with the Bison and has a 37-31 overall record.
Series Record
The Kangaroos are 3-4 all-time against North Dakota State. Last season, the Kangaroos split with the Bison during the regular season and knocked them out of The Summit League Basketball Championships. The UMKC women's basketball team defeated No. 5 seed North Dakota State, 76-75, in overtime with LeAndrea Thomas making the game-winning shot with one second on the clock on March 7 in the first round of the tournament.
During the regular season, UMKC fell on Feb. 8 at North Dakota State, 65-55, Chazny Morris led all players with 20 points and led the `Roos with seven rebounds. Earlier on in the season, the Kangaroos handed North Dakota State its first Summit League loss on Jan. 9, 73-64. UMKC had four players land in double figures with Sam Sikkink leading all players with 17 points. Kim Nezianya recorded her first collegiate double-double with 12 points and 12 boards.
O'Connor Voted Lady Osprey Holiday Tournament MVP
UMKC freshman guard Eilise O'Connor was voted to the all-tournament squad for the Lady Osprey Holiday Tournament. O'Connor was also chosen as the MVP of the tournament after leading UMKC to a 2-0 record at North Florida. The San Francisco, Calif., native averaged 11.5 points and 4.5 rebounds over the weekend.
O'Connor finished with a career-high 13 points in the 60-51 win over Bethune-Cookman on Dec. 18. She scored 10 points in the 62-55 win over Troy on Dec. 19. O'Connor shot .813 (13-16) from the free throw line over the weekend and averaged three assists.
Be A Part of the Action
Fans can listen LIVE to T.J. Jackson on 1510 AM for the Kangaroos match up with the Bison. Fans can also follow along with live stats and watch the game at www.umkckangaroos.com
UMKC Statistical Leaders
Dayon Hall-Jones continues to lead the `Roos with 11.8 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 5.4 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 saw minutes against Bethune-Cookman and Troy.
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 10 games in to her collegiate basketball career, Hill already ranks second for most blocks by a freshman and most blocks in a season in the UMKC record books. Hill is second The Summit League in total blocks and is third with 2.6 blocks per game.
Last Time Out: `Roos Go 2-0 In Lady Osprey Tournament; Hand Troy A 62-55 Loss
The UMKC women's basketball team played its way to a 62-55 win over Troy on Sunday. The Kangaroos finished the Lady Osprey Tournament, 2-0, after a 60-51 win over Bethune-Cookman yesterday. The `Roos improve to 5-7 overall on the season and the Trojans drop to 2-9. Jade Tinner led UMKC with 13 points, while Eilise O'Connor finished with 10 points.
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.
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 11-2 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.
ment team.
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
North Dakota State is 5-5 overall this season at 1-0 in The Summit League. The Bison cancelled a game with Dakota State on Dec. 20, so their last contest was against Creighton where North Dakota State suffered a 54-44 loss. The Bison defeated South Dakota State at Brookings on Dec. 4, 78-71.
The Bison have four players averaging double figures, led by Katie Birkel with 16.6 points and 3.2 assists per game. Danielle DeGagne is averaging 13.8 points, Janae Burich is averaging 12.4 points and Abby Plucker is close to averaging a double-double with 10.7 points and 9.9 rebounds per contest.
Head coach Carolyn DeHoff is entering her third season with the Bison and has a 37-31 overall record.
Series Record
The Kangaroos are 3-4 all-time against North Dakota State. Last season, the Kangaroos split with the Bison during the regular season and knocked them out of The Summit League Basketball Championships. The UMKC women's basketball team defeated No. 5 seed North Dakota State, 76-75, in overtime with LeAndrea Thomas making the game-winning shot with one second on the clock on March 7 in the first round of the tournament.
During the regular season, UMKC fell on Feb. 8 at North Dakota State, 65-55, Chazny Morris led all players with 20 points and led the `Roos with seven rebounds. Earlier on in the season, the Kangaroos handed North Dakota State its first Summit League loss on Jan. 9, 73-64. UMKC had four players land in double figures with Sam Sikkink leading all players with 17 points. Kim Nezianya recorded her first collegiate double-double with 12 points and 12 boards.
O'Connor Voted Lady Osprey Holiday Tournament MVP
UMKC freshman guard Eilise O'Connor was voted to the all-tournament squad for the Lady Osprey Holiday Tournament. O'Connor was also chosen as the MVP of the tournament after leading UMKC to a 2-0 record at North Florida. The San Francisco, Calif., native averaged 11.5 points and 4.5 rebounds over the weekend.
O'Connor finished with a career-high 13 points in the 60-51 win over Bethune-Cookman on Dec. 18. She scored 10 points in the 62-55 win over Troy on Dec. 19. O'Connor shot .813 (13-16) from the free throw line over the weekend and averaged three assists.
Be A Part of the Action
Fans can listen LIVE to T.J. Jackson on 1510 AM for the Kangaroos match up with the Bison. Fans can also follow along with live stats and watch the game at www.umkckangaroos.com
UMKC Statistical Leaders
Dayon Hall-Jones continues to lead the `Roos with 11.8 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 5.4 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 saw minutes against Bethune-Cookman and Troy.
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 10 games in to her collegiate basketball career, Hill already ranks second for most blocks by a freshman and most blocks in a season in the UMKC record books. Hill is second The Summit League in total blocks and is third with 2.6 blocks per game.
Last Time Out: `Roos Go 2-0 In Lady Osprey Tournament; Hand Troy A 62-55 Loss
The UMKC women's basketball team played its way to a 62-55 win over Troy on Sunday. The Kangaroos finished the Lady Osprey Tournament, 2-0, after a 60-51 win over Bethune-Cookman yesterday. The `Roos improve to 5-7 overall on the season and the Trojans drop to 2-9. Jade Tinner led UMKC with 13 points, while Eilise O'Connor finished with 10 points.
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.
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 11-2 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.
ment team.
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