UMKC Set to Face Lancers in Final Game of Chicago Invitational
11/26/2011 1:32:00 AM | Men's Basketball
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THE GAME
The Kangaroos will face Longwood on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 (CT) in the winner's bracket of the Chicago Invitational Challenge at Sears Centre Arena in a northwest suburb of Chicago (Hoffman Estates, Ill.). The Lancers defeated Prairie View A&M by a score of 70-67 in the noon game on Friday.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Longwood comes in with a 2-4 overall record after defeating Prairie View A&M 70-67 on Friday. Based in Farmville, Va., the Lancers are an independent Division I team. They have also defeated Virginia Intermont, with losses to BYU, Canisius, and Nevada.
They are led by senior center Antwan Carter, who averages 16.7 points and 9.7 boards per contest. Point guard Jeremiah Bowman puts up 15.2 pioints and 5.2 assists per outing. As a team the Lancers shoot 44 percent and average 75.3 points per game, but allow opponents to hit 46 percent and score 79.5 points per contest.
THE COACHES is in his fifth season as the head coach of the UMKC men's basketball program, and comes off his most successful season at the helm. In 2010-11, he posted his first winning record at 16-14 overall. The 'Roos also posted the third-most home wins in school history, going 11-4 in Kansas City, and the third-most overall wins in program history.
Brown joined the 'Roos as the eighth head coach in school history on April 12, 2007. In his five seasons as head coach, Brown has guided UMKC to a 44-81 overall record and has coached seven players to all-Summit League recognition.
Mike Gillian is in his ninth season at Longwood, and has a 77-172 overall record. He went to Longwood after serving as the assistant coach at George Mason for six seasons.
THE SERIES
The Kangaroos and Lancers are meeting for the third time with UMKC holding a 2-0 advantage. The teams played a home-and-home series in 2004 and 2005, with UMKC taking a 74-51 road win and a 79-69 home victory.
Matt Brown has never faced Longwood, while Mike Gillian is 0-2 against UMKC.