UMKC Hosts Western Illinois On Saturday In Summit League Action
1/21/2011 2:18:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Kansas City, Mo. -- The UMKC women's basketball team will host Western Illinois and IUPUI this weekend inside Swinney Recreation Center. The Kangaroos will host the Fighting Leathernecks on Saturday at 4 p.m., and host the Jaguars on Monday night at 7 p.m. UMKC is coming off of a 98-49 win at Centenary. UMKC is 7-11 overall and 2-5 in The Summit League.
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.
Be A Part of the Action
Fans can listen LIVE to T.J. Jackson and Cindy Stein on KCWJ 1030 AM as your UMKC Kangaroos host Western Illinois on Saturday. The game will also be aired on KSMO, with live streaming and live stats available by going to UMKCKangaroos.com.
Monday's battle with IUPUI will also be LIVE on KCWJ 1030 AM. Live streaming and stats will be available at UMKCKangaroos.com.
Opponent Preview
Western Illinois is 5-12 overall and 3-4 in The Summit League. The Fighting Leathernecks are coming off of a 87-59 loss to South Dakota State on Jan. 17. Western Illinois is led by Sadie Webb with 10.9 points per game. This season the Fighting Leathernecks have recorded league wins against Centenary, IUPUI and North Dakota State.
Western Illinois is coached by Leslie Crane, who is in her 13th season.
IUPUI is 3-14 overall and 1-6 in Summit League play. The Jaguars will face Southern Utah on Jan. 22 before heading to Kansas City on Jan. 24. IUPUI is led by Kerah Nelson, who is averaging 11.4 points per game.
The Jaguars are under the direction of first year coach Austin Parkinson. Parkinson spent the previous two years as an assistant coach for the IUPUI men's basketball squad.
Series Record
The Kangaroos are 15-21 all-time against Western Illinois. Last season, UMKC swept the Fighting Leathernecks in the regular season 2-0. The `Roos played their way to a 54-46 win on Jan. 25 thanks to 11 points by Sam Sikkink and seven rebounds from Mariah Davis. On Feb. 20, LeAndrea Thomas led the squad to a 65-57 win over Western Illinois with 18 points and Brianna Eldridge finished with a then career-high nine rebounds.
UMKC is 10-13 all-time against IUPUI. The Kangaroos also swept the Jaguars in regular season play last year. The `Roos played their way to a 65-36 win on Jan. 23, following 16 points from Chazny Morris and Thomas, with Morris also leading the squad with nine rebounds. On the road against IUPUI, UMKC went on for a 56-46 win with Morris again leading the Kangaroos with 14 points, while Eldridge finished with seven rebounds.
Summit League Standings
Oral Roberts remains atop The Summit League standings with a perfect 8-0 record. Tied for second is IPFW and Oakland with a 5-2 record. Three teams in the league have a 4-3 record, Southern Utah (4th), North Dakota State (5th) and South Dakota State (6th). Western Illinois edges UMKC at 7th with a 3-4 Summit League record and the `Roos are sitting eighth at 2-5 in the league.
Rounding out the bottom of the league standings are IUPUI and Centenary. The Jaguars are ninth with a 1-6 Summit League record and the Ladies are 10th at 0-8 on the season. Only the top-eight teams will advance to The Summit League Championships in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Hill Leading Summit League
The 6-5 freshman is currently leading The Summit League in blocks and is second in the league overall. Hill has 47 blocks this season and is averaging 2.8 per contest. Thanks to Hill's long arms, UMKC is second in blocking in The Summit League with 4.8 blocks per game and 87 on the year.
`Roos Winning Battle Below
Despite its average height, other than 6-5 Ashli Hill, the UMKC women's basketball team has been fighting hard underneath the basket for the ball and it has been paying off. The Kangaroos are third in The Summit League overall statistics in rebounding offense with 39.2 per game. The `Roos are also first in rebounding margin over their opponents this season, holding a 2.4 advantage.
In Summit League statistics only, the Kangaroos hold a rebounding margin with a 6.3 advantage over their opponents this season.
Veteran Guard Gets Up To Speed
Junior guard LeAndrea Thomas has really stepped up her play in the heat of Summit League competition. Thomas finished with a season-high 18 points in the win over Southern Utah and had a big night despite the loss at Oral Roberts. Against the Golden Eagles, the Kansas City, Mo., native led the `Roos with 16 points, six rebounds and finished with a career-high eight steals.
Thomas is leading the Kangaroos with 25 steals this season and is averaging 1.4 per game.
UMKC Statistical Leaders
Dayon Hall-Jones continues to lead the `Roos with 9.4 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 5.8 rebounds per game.
`Roos Injury Report
Sophomore Kim Nezianya will more than likely miss the entire Western Illinois/IUPUI series this weekend from an injury sustained at Oral Roberts on Jan. 15. The forward is currently leading UMKC in rebounds and is seventh in The Summit League statistics in rebounding.
Last Time Out: `Roos Take Care Of Business At Centenary, 98-49
The UMKC women's basketball team took care of business on Monday night at Centenary, 98-49. The Kangaroos had five players finish in double figures, with Peyton Adamson leading the way with 14 points. Ashli Hill finished with 12 points, while Eilise O'Connor, Simone Bridges and Dayon Hall-Jones all finished with 11 points.
O'Connor Consistent On The Floor
Freshman Eilise O'Connor has led the Kangaroos in points for four games and recorded her seventh double-digit match against Centenary with 11 points. The San Francisco, Calif., native scored a career-high 22 points against North Dakota State on Dec. 29.
O'Connor is averaging 8.8 points per game and 3.1 assists per contest. She leads the `Roos with 51 assists on the season.
Hill Breaks UMKC Freshman Blocking Record
Hill is sitting at 47 blocks this season, making her the top blocking freshman in UMKC school history. Hill surpassed teammate Mariah Davis, who recorded 41 blocks her freshman year in the 2008-09 season. The freshman also holds the school record for most blocks recorded in a half. The Lawrence, Kan., native finished with six blocks at Kansas, all recorded in the first half.
`Roos Hold Kansas To 56 Points
UMKC may have dropped a 56-41 decision at Kansas on Jan. 3 but the `Roos achieved something that no other non-conference opponent has been able to do this season against the Jayhawks. Prior to facing the Kangaroos, Kansas (13-1) was averaging 82 points a game in non-conference play this season and the UMKC defense was able to hold them to just 56.
Eldridge Shows Some Muscle
Brianna Eldridge had a big first half against North Dakota State on Wednesday night. The junior finished the night with a career-high 13 rebounds. Eldridge recorded 10 first half rebounds, just one rebound shy of a UMKC school record.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Be A Part of the Action
Fans can listen LIVE to T.J. Jackson and Cindy Stein on KCWJ 1030 AM as your UMKC Kangaroos host Western Illinois on Saturday. The game will also be aired on KSMO, with live streaming and live stats available by going to UMKCKangaroos.com.
Monday's battle with IUPUI will also be LIVE on KCWJ 1030 AM. Live streaming and stats will be available at UMKCKangaroos.com.
Opponent Preview
Western Illinois is 5-12 overall and 3-4 in The Summit League. The Fighting Leathernecks are coming off of a 87-59 loss to South Dakota State on Jan. 17. Western Illinois is led by Sadie Webb with 10.9 points per game. This season the Fighting Leathernecks have recorded league wins against Centenary, IUPUI and North Dakota State.
Western Illinois is coached by Leslie Crane, who is in her 13th season.
IUPUI is 3-14 overall and 1-6 in Summit League play. The Jaguars will face Southern Utah on Jan. 22 before heading to Kansas City on Jan. 24. IUPUI is led by Kerah Nelson, who is averaging 11.4 points per game.
The Jaguars are under the direction of first year coach Austin Parkinson. Parkinson spent the previous two years as an assistant coach for the IUPUI men's basketball squad.
Series Record
The Kangaroos are 15-21 all-time against Western Illinois. Last season, UMKC swept the Fighting Leathernecks in the regular season 2-0. The `Roos played their way to a 54-46 win on Jan. 25 thanks to 11 points by Sam Sikkink and seven rebounds from Mariah Davis. On Feb. 20, LeAndrea Thomas led the squad to a 65-57 win over Western Illinois with 18 points and Brianna Eldridge finished with a then career-high nine rebounds.
UMKC is 10-13 all-time against IUPUI. The Kangaroos also swept the Jaguars in regular season play last year. The `Roos played their way to a 65-36 win on Jan. 23, following 16 points from Chazny Morris and Thomas, with Morris also leading the squad with nine rebounds. On the road against IUPUI, UMKC went on for a 56-46 win with Morris again leading the Kangaroos with 14 points, while Eldridge finished with seven rebounds.
Summit League Standings
Oral Roberts remains atop The Summit League standings with a perfect 8-0 record. Tied for second is IPFW and Oakland with a 5-2 record. Three teams in the league have a 4-3 record, Southern Utah (4th), North Dakota State (5th) and South Dakota State (6th). Western Illinois edges UMKC at 7th with a 3-4 Summit League record and the `Roos are sitting eighth at 2-5 in the league.
Rounding out the bottom of the league standings are IUPUI and Centenary. The Jaguars are ninth with a 1-6 Summit League record and the Ladies are 10th at 0-8 on the season. Only the top-eight teams will advance to The Summit League Championships in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Hill Leading Summit League
The 6-5 freshman is currently leading The Summit League in blocks and is second in the league overall. Hill has 47 blocks this season and is averaging 2.8 per contest. Thanks to Hill's long arms, UMKC is second in blocking in The Summit League with 4.8 blocks per game and 87 on the year.
`Roos Winning Battle Below
Despite its average height, other than 6-5 Ashli Hill, the UMKC women's basketball team has been fighting hard underneath the basket for the ball and it has been paying off. The Kangaroos are third in The Summit League overall statistics in rebounding offense with 39.2 per game. The `Roos are also first in rebounding margin over their opponents this season, holding a 2.4 advantage.
In Summit League statistics only, the Kangaroos hold a rebounding margin with a 6.3 advantage over their opponents this season.
Veteran Guard Gets Up To Speed
Junior guard LeAndrea Thomas has really stepped up her play in the heat of Summit League competition. Thomas finished with a season-high 18 points in the win over Southern Utah and had a big night despite the loss at Oral Roberts. Against the Golden Eagles, the Kansas City, Mo., native led the `Roos with 16 points, six rebounds and finished with a career-high eight steals.
Thomas is leading the Kangaroos with 25 steals this season and is averaging 1.4 per game.
UMKC Statistical Leaders
Dayon Hall-Jones continues to lead the `Roos with 9.4 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 5.8 rebounds per game.
`Roos Injury Report
Sophomore Kim Nezianya will more than likely miss the entire Western Illinois/IUPUI series this weekend from an injury sustained at Oral Roberts on Jan. 15. The forward is currently leading UMKC in rebounds and is seventh in The Summit League statistics in rebounding.
Last Time Out: `Roos Take Care Of Business At Centenary, 98-49
The UMKC women's basketball team took care of business on Monday night at Centenary, 98-49. The Kangaroos had five players finish in double figures, with Peyton Adamson leading the way with 14 points. Ashli Hill finished with 12 points, while Eilise O'Connor, Simone Bridges and Dayon Hall-Jones all finished with 11 points.
O'Connor Consistent On The Floor
Freshman Eilise O'Connor has led the Kangaroos in points for four games and recorded her seventh double-digit match against Centenary with 11 points. The San Francisco, Calif., native scored a career-high 22 points against North Dakota State on Dec. 29.
O'Connor is averaging 8.8 points per game and 3.1 assists per contest. She leads the `Roos with 51 assists on the season.
Hill Breaks UMKC Freshman Blocking Record
Hill is sitting at 47 blocks this season, making her the top blocking freshman in UMKC school history. Hill surpassed teammate Mariah Davis, who recorded 41 blocks her freshman year in the 2008-09 season. The freshman also holds the school record for most blocks recorded in a half. The Lawrence, Kan., native finished with six blocks at Kansas, all recorded in the first half.
`Roos Hold Kansas To 56 Points
UMKC may have dropped a 56-41 decision at Kansas on Jan. 3 but the `Roos achieved something that no other non-conference opponent has been able to do this season against the Jayhawks. Prior to facing the Kangaroos, Kansas (13-1) was averaging 82 points a game in non-conference play this season and the UMKC defense was able to hold them to just 56.
Eldridge Shows Some Muscle
Brianna Eldridge had a big first half against North Dakota State on Wednesday night. The junior finished the night with a career-high 13 rebounds. Eldridge recorded 10 first half rebounds, just one rebound shy of a UMKC school record.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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