UMKC Hosts Southern Utah On Saturday At Municipal
1/7/2011 2:11:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Kansas City, Mo. -- The UMKC women's basketball team hosts Southern Utah on Saturday at 4 p.m., inside Municipal Auditorium. The Kangaroos are coming off of a 56-41 loss at Kansas. The `Roos are 5-10 overall and 0-4 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 on KCJW 1030 AM for the Kangaroos match up with Southern Utah. The game will also be aired live on KSMO and live stats are available by going to UMKCKangaroos.com.
Opponent Preview
Southern Utah is 9-5 overall and 3-1 in The Summit League, posting wins over IPFW, South Dakota State and North Dakota State. The Thunderbirds are coming off of a 102-61 loss to Gonzaga on Jan. 3. Challis Pascucci leads Southern Utah with 16.9 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. Caitlyn Sears is averaging 16 points a contest.
JR Payne is the head coach of the Thunderbirds and she is in her second season with a career record of 16-29.
Series Record
The Kangaroos are 12-14 against the Thunderbirds all-time. Last season, UMKC posted a 71-58 win over Southern Utah on Jan. 4, led by Chazny Morris with 24 points and Simone Bridges with nine rebounds. The `Roos also defeated the Thunderbirds on Jan. 30, 74-64, thanks to 13 points by Dayon Hall-Jones and 10 rebounds from Jade Tinner.
`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.
Hill Breaks School Record For Most Blocks A Half
Freshman Ashli Hill was a big part of the defensive success that the Kangaroos had against the Jayhawks on Monday. The Lawrence, Kan., native finished with six blocks, all recorded in the first half. As a team, UMKC out-blocked Kansas 10-1.
Hill took the most blocks a half record from Alysa Klein (2008) and Bernice Dorsey (1990), who both had the school record with five blocks in a half.
Hill Ties UMKC Freshman Blocking Record
Hill's six blocks against the Jayhawks tied the freshman blocking record at UMKC. She has 41 blocks on the season headed into the game against Southern Utah. Hill is tied with team mate Mariah Davis, who recorded 41 blocks her freshman year in the 2008-09 season.
In The Summit League, Hill ranks second with 2.9 blocks per game, but leads the league with 41. She is behind Brittany Carnago of Oakland with 3.1 blocks per game.
O'Connor Leads `Roos in Third Straight Contest
Freshman Eilise O'Connor has led the Kangaroos in points for three straight games now. O'Connor scored a career-high 22 points against North Dakota State and notched 14 against South Dakota State. The San Francisco, Calif., native finished with a team-high nine points against the Jayhawks.
For the season, O'Connor is averaging 7.8 points a game.
UMKC Statistical Leaders
Dayon Hall-Jones continues to lead the `Roos with 10.0 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 5.6 rebounds per game.
Last Time Out: `Roos Solid Defensive Effort Can't Produce Win At Kansas
The UMKC women's basketball team suffered a 56-41 loss at Kansas despite a tough defensive effort by the `Roos. Freshman Eilise O'Connor led the Kangaroos with nine points and Ashli Hill finished with six blocks.
UMKC struggled on offense, only shooting .283 from the field and .091 from the three-point line.
The Kangaroos over powered the Jayhawks in blocks, 10-1, thanks to six from Hill. The Jayhawks were also averaging 82 points a game in non-conference play this season and the UMKC defense was able to hold them to just 56 tonight.
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 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.
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 on KCJW 1030 AM for the Kangaroos match up with Southern Utah. The game will also be aired live on KSMO and live stats are available by going to UMKCKangaroos.com.
Opponent Preview
Southern Utah is 9-5 overall and 3-1 in The Summit League, posting wins over IPFW, South Dakota State and North Dakota State. The Thunderbirds are coming off of a 102-61 loss to Gonzaga on Jan. 3. Challis Pascucci leads Southern Utah with 16.9 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. Caitlyn Sears is averaging 16 points a contest.
JR Payne is the head coach of the Thunderbirds and she is in her second season with a career record of 16-29.
Series Record
The Kangaroos are 12-14 against the Thunderbirds all-time. Last season, UMKC posted a 71-58 win over Southern Utah on Jan. 4, led by Chazny Morris with 24 points and Simone Bridges with nine rebounds. The `Roos also defeated the Thunderbirds on Jan. 30, 74-64, thanks to 13 points by Dayon Hall-Jones and 10 rebounds from Jade Tinner.
`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.
Hill Breaks School Record For Most Blocks A Half
Freshman Ashli Hill was a big part of the defensive success that the Kangaroos had against the Jayhawks on Monday. The Lawrence, Kan., native finished with six blocks, all recorded in the first half. As a team, UMKC out-blocked Kansas 10-1.
Hill took the most blocks a half record from Alysa Klein (2008) and Bernice Dorsey (1990), who both had the school record with five blocks in a half.
Hill Ties UMKC Freshman Blocking Record
Hill's six blocks against the Jayhawks tied the freshman blocking record at UMKC. She has 41 blocks on the season headed into the game against Southern Utah. Hill is tied with team mate Mariah Davis, who recorded 41 blocks her freshman year in the 2008-09 season.
In The Summit League, Hill ranks second with 2.9 blocks per game, but leads the league with 41. She is behind Brittany Carnago of Oakland with 3.1 blocks per game.
O'Connor Leads `Roos in Third Straight Contest
Freshman Eilise O'Connor has led the Kangaroos in points for three straight games now. O'Connor scored a career-high 22 points against North Dakota State and notched 14 against South Dakota State. The San Francisco, Calif., native finished with a team-high nine points against the Jayhawks.
For the season, O'Connor is averaging 7.8 points a game.
UMKC Statistical Leaders
Dayon Hall-Jones continues to lead the `Roos with 10.0 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 5.6 rebounds per game.
Last Time Out: `Roos Solid Defensive Effort Can't Produce Win At Kansas
The UMKC women's basketball team suffered a 56-41 loss at Kansas despite a tough defensive effort by the `Roos. Freshman Eilise O'Connor led the Kangaroos with nine points and Ashli Hill finished with six blocks.
UMKC struggled on offense, only shooting .283 from the field and .091 from the three-point line.
The Kangaroos over powered the Jayhawks in blocks, 10-1, thanks to six from Hill. The Jayhawks were also averaging 82 points a game in non-conference play this season and the UMKC defense was able to hold them to just 56 tonight.
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 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.
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.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's BasketballHead Coach Mark Turgeon Full Introductory Press Conference
Monday, March 09
Women's Basketball Highlights vs. #2 South Dakota State
Thursday, March 05
Women's Basketball Highlights at St. Thomas
Wednesday, February 25
Women's Basketball Highlights vs. Oral Roberts
Saturday, February 21