UMKC Faces Tabor in Final Exhibition Contest Saturday
11/4/2011 2:37:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Radio: 1140 AM / 102.9 FM (Steven Davis, play-by-play; Steven St. John, color)
Webcast: UMKCKangaroos.com (free)
Live Stats: UMKCKangaroos.com
THE GAME
The UMKC men's basketball team will play its final exhibition game against Tabor (Kan.) on Saturday at 5:05 p.m. The 'Roos look to bounce back after an overtime loss in their first exhibition contest on Tuesday. The opponent looks to be a tougher test, as Tabor went 18-11 last season, defeating Benedictine by 10 points.
LAST TIME OUT
(Kansas City, Mo.) - The UMKC men's basketball team had a rough shooting night, and fell by a 74-67 margin in overtime to Benedictine (Kan.) College on Tuesday night at Swinney Recreation Center in exhibition action.
The Kangaroos shot only 33.8 percent in the contest, while the Ravens hit 51.8 percent from the floor. The game was close throughout, with neither team leading by double-digits all night. There were 11 ties and 13 lead changes in the outing.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Tabor College, in Hillsboro, Kan., went 18-11 last season overall, and 11-7 in the KCAC. The NAIA affiliated Bluejays return their second leading scorer in junior Lawson Kingsley at 10.5 points per game. They also return starters Phillip Jimenez, Ryan Chippeaux, and Dylan Clark-Kaneable. Last season the Bluejays hit 171 three pointers and scored 67.3 points per game, while allowing 62.2 points per contest.
THE SERIES
The Kangaroos have never played Tabor College at the Division I or NAIA level.
THE COACHES
Matt Brown 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 first four seasons as head coach, Brown has guided UMKC to a 42-77 overall record and has coached seven players to all-Summit League recognition.
Micah Ratzlaff is entering his fifth season at the helm of Tabor after spending the previous season as an assistant coach there. He played two seasons at Oral Roberts before transferring to Tabor for his final two years. While a player at Tabor, he was a first-team all-conference and honorable mention All-American selection two times.