Kansas City
Western Illinois
UMKC Records Fifth Road Win Of The Season With 66-61 Win Over Western Illinois
2/17/2011 8:08:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Macomb, Ill. -- The UMKC men's basketball team (16-10, 9-6) picked up its fifth road win of the season with a 66-61 Summit League victory over Western Illinois (7-19, 2-13). UMKC was out-shot from the field and out-rebounded, but made up for it by out-shooting WIU from three-point range, 40.0 percent to 27.3 percent and from the free throw line, 76.9 percent to 53.8 percent.
Senior Jay Couisnard led the 'Roos, as the forward finished with 31 points, his third 30 point game of the season, and six rebounds. Junior Reggie Chamberlain was the only other 'Roo in double figures, finishing with 14 points, while senior Spencer Johnson registered five points, four rebounds and four assists.
Couisnard opened the game with a three from the top of the key, starting a 9-0 run by the 'Roos over the first 4:34.
After a WIU field goal, a pair of Couisnard threes and free throws and a jumper from sophomore Max Rockmann extended the UMKC lead to 19-5 with 11:20 to play in the first.
Five straight points from the Leathernecks trimmed the lead to 10, but back-to-back field goals from Couisnard and a layup from junior Dustin Dibble put the 'Roos back up 25-9 with 7:24 left in the opening half.
Western Illinois then used an 14-4 run to get to within six at the 1:26 mark of the first half before senior Bakari Lewis buried a jumper at the Buzzer to give UMKC a 31-23 lead at the half.
Coming out of the break, the Kangaroos opened up a 13 point lead at 39-26 with 15:10 to play, but 15 straight points from Western Illinois gave them their first lead of the game at 41-39 with 10:39 remaining in the second half.
The two teams then traded three-point baskets before a pair of free throws from Chamberlain tied the game at 44.
Another three from Couisnard put the 'Roos back in front and on the next possession, the senior threw down a one-handed breakaway dunk to extend the lead to five with 7:11 left in regulation.
Western Illinois then closed back to within two, but a three-point play by Couisnard extended the lead to five at 5:48 mark.
The Leathernecks again closed to within one, but Couisnard answered with a three to push the lead back to four.
After a pair of Chamberlain free throws, a free throw and a three from WIU cut the lead to two with 1:36 left to play.
On the 'Roos ensuing possession, Chamberlain again came up big, drilling a three from the corner with 55 seconds left as the shot clock expired, giving UMKC a 60-55 lead.
A quick score by Western Illinois cut the lead to three, but free throws from Couisnard, freshman Trinity Hall and Chamberlain in the final 28 seconds iced the game for the 'Roos.
In the game, UMKC finished with 13 assists and just 10 turnovers, while forcing 15 Leatherneck turnovers, including eight UMKC steals.
The Blue & Gold will be back in action again on Saturday night at 6 p.m. for their final road game of the year against IUPUI in The Jungle.
