Kangaroos Face Southern Utah On Saturday
2/4/2011 11:07:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Kansas City, Mo. -- The UMKC women's basketball team will take on Southern Utah on Saturday. UMKC is 9-13 overall and 4-7 in The Summit League and is coming off of a 82-57 loss at South Dakota State.
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 KCWJ 1030 AM as UMKC takes on Southern Utah. For live streaming and live stats, go to www.suutbirds.com.
Opponent Preview
Southern Utah is 11-11 overall and 5-6 in The Summit League. The Thunderbirds are led by Challis Pascucci with 17.4 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. Caitlyn Sears is also averaging 14.9 points a contest. Southern Utah is coming off of a 74-54 loss at North Dakota State.
Series Record
UMKC is 13-14 all-time against Southern Utah. Earlier on in the season, the Kangaroos played their way to a 73-66 win over the Thunderbirds. LeAndrea Thomas led the `Roos with 18 points, while Eilise O'Connor contributed 16 points. Kim Nezianya finished the night with nine rebounds.
UMKC Statistical Leaders
Eilise O'Connor leads the squad with 9.4 points per game this season. O'Connor has landed in double figures in 10 games this year and led the `Roos in five games in scoring. Over the weekend, the freshman notched 14 points at North Dakota State and 12 points at South Dakota State. O'Connor scored a career-high 22 points on Dec. 29 against the Bison.
Brianna Eldridge is averaging 6.3 boards per contest to lead UMKC. Eldridge finished with a career-high 13 rebounds against North Dakota State on Dec. 29, and another 13 rebounds against IUPUI on Jan. 24.
Hill Second In Summit League
The 6-5 freshman is currently second in The Summit League in blocks overall and in league games. Hill is averaging 2.5 blocks per game in league play. Overall, the Lawrence, Kan., native is averaging 2.6 blocks per game and leads overall with 55 blocks this season.
Hill has a good chance to beat the UMKC school record for most blocks in season. The current school record is held by Alysa Klein. During the 2007-08 season, Klein recorded 77 blocks in 31 games, averaging 2.5 blocks per game.
Eldridge Shows Some Muscle
Brianna Eldridge has been working real hard for the Kangaroos underneath the basket during league play, recording her third straight double figure game. Eldridge brought down 10 rebounds a game against the Bison and the Jackrabbits over the weekend. The junior has recorded 13 rebounds, a career-high, on two occasions this year (NDSU, Dec. 29; IUPUI, Jan. 24).
Against the Bison earlier on this season, Eldridge recorded 10 first half rebounds, just one rebound shy of a UMKC school record.
`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 first in The Summit League in rebounding margin, both in the league and overall, holding a 6.4 advantage in Summit League play over opponents. The `Roos are also first in offensive rebounds.
Eldridge is second in The Summit League stats in offensive rebounds and sixth in rebounding.
Summit League Standings
UMKC is in the middle of The Summit League season and every game counts in the standings. Oral Roberts is sitting atop the league standings, remaining undefeated at 11-0. IPFW and Oakland are second and third, both possessing a 8-3 record. North Dakota State and South Dakota are sitting fourth and fifth with a 6-5 league record, and Western Illinois is sixth at 5-5.
Southern Utah sits ahead of UMKC at seventh at 5-6 and the `Roos are eighth with a 4-7 Summit League record. Rounding out the bottom of The Summit League standings are IUPUI and Centenary.
Last Time Out: UMKC Falls At South Dakota State
The UMKC women's basketball team fell 82-57 at South Dakota State on Monday night. Kaycie Boyles and Eilise O'Connor led the `Roos with 12 points, while Brianna Eldridge brought down 10 rebounds.
Defense Big Part of Success
The UMKC defense has worked very hard the week of Jan. 17-24 and that hard work paid off as they were able to hold the past three opponents to 55 points or less. The `Roos held the Ladies to just 49 points and kept the Fighting Leathernecks to 51 points. UMKC held IUPUI to 55 total points on Monday night.
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.
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.
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 KCWJ 1030 AM as UMKC takes on Southern Utah. For live streaming and live stats, go to www.suutbirds.com.
Opponent Preview
Southern Utah is 11-11 overall and 5-6 in The Summit League. The Thunderbirds are led by Challis Pascucci with 17.4 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. Caitlyn Sears is also averaging 14.9 points a contest. Southern Utah is coming off of a 74-54 loss at North Dakota State.
Series Record
UMKC is 13-14 all-time against Southern Utah. Earlier on in the season, the Kangaroos played their way to a 73-66 win over the Thunderbirds. LeAndrea Thomas led the `Roos with 18 points, while Eilise O'Connor contributed 16 points. Kim Nezianya finished the night with nine rebounds.
UMKC Statistical Leaders
Eilise O'Connor leads the squad with 9.4 points per game this season. O'Connor has landed in double figures in 10 games this year and led the `Roos in five games in scoring. Over the weekend, the freshman notched 14 points at North Dakota State and 12 points at South Dakota State. O'Connor scored a career-high 22 points on Dec. 29 against the Bison.
Brianna Eldridge is averaging 6.3 boards per contest to lead UMKC. Eldridge finished with a career-high 13 rebounds against North Dakota State on Dec. 29, and another 13 rebounds against IUPUI on Jan. 24.
Hill Second In Summit League
The 6-5 freshman is currently second in The Summit League in blocks overall and in league games. Hill is averaging 2.5 blocks per game in league play. Overall, the Lawrence, Kan., native is averaging 2.6 blocks per game and leads overall with 55 blocks this season.
Hill has a good chance to beat the UMKC school record for most blocks in season. The current school record is held by Alysa Klein. During the 2007-08 season, Klein recorded 77 blocks in 31 games, averaging 2.5 blocks per game.
Eldridge Shows Some Muscle
Brianna Eldridge has been working real hard for the Kangaroos underneath the basket during league play, recording her third straight double figure game. Eldridge brought down 10 rebounds a game against the Bison and the Jackrabbits over the weekend. The junior has recorded 13 rebounds, a career-high, on two occasions this year (NDSU, Dec. 29; IUPUI, Jan. 24).
Against the Bison earlier on this season, Eldridge recorded 10 first half rebounds, just one rebound shy of a UMKC school record.
`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 first in The Summit League in rebounding margin, both in the league and overall, holding a 6.4 advantage in Summit League play over opponents. The `Roos are also first in offensive rebounds.
Eldridge is second in The Summit League stats in offensive rebounds and sixth in rebounding.
Summit League Standings
UMKC is in the middle of The Summit League season and every game counts in the standings. Oral Roberts is sitting atop the league standings, remaining undefeated at 11-0. IPFW and Oakland are second and third, both possessing a 8-3 record. North Dakota State and South Dakota are sitting fourth and fifth with a 6-5 league record, and Western Illinois is sixth at 5-5.
Southern Utah sits ahead of UMKC at seventh at 5-6 and the `Roos are eighth with a 4-7 Summit League record. Rounding out the bottom of The Summit League standings are IUPUI and Centenary.
Last Time Out: UMKC Falls At South Dakota State
The UMKC women's basketball team fell 82-57 at South Dakota State on Monday night. Kaycie Boyles and Eilise O'Connor led the `Roos with 12 points, while Brianna Eldridge brought down 10 rebounds.
Defense Big Part of Success
The UMKC defense has worked very hard the week of Jan. 17-24 and that hard work paid off as they were able to hold the past three opponents to 55 points or less. The `Roos held the Ladies to just 49 points and kept the Fighting Leathernecks to 51 points. UMKC held IUPUI to 55 total points on Monday night.
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.
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.
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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