Kangaroos Set To Battle Bears In WNIT Opener
3/14/2012 8:58:00 AM | Women's Basketball
On the Air and On the Web
Live Online Video: www.missouristatebears.com
Radio: 1030 AM (T.J. Jackson - p-b-p, Cindy Stein - color)
Live Online Radio: www.kcwj.org (T.J. Jackson - p-b-p, Cindy Stein - color)
Live Stats: www.UMKCKangaroos.com
Opponent Preview
Missouri State enters the WNIT as the Missouri Valley's regular season champs and with a 22-8 record overall after falling in the semifinal of the MVC Tournament to Creighton, 56-47. Three Bears are averaging double figures on the year, led by guard Casey Garrison's (6-0 - Sr.) 16.3 ppg. Forward Christiana Shorter (6-1 - Jr.) and guard Jaleshia Roberson (5-9 - Sr.), meanwhile, are averaging 12.0 ppg and 10.5 ppg, respectively. On the glass, Shorter is tops on the team at 6.9 rebounds per game, while guard Jasmine Malone (5-11 - Sr.) and Garrison chip in over five rebounds per game each. Defensively, Shorter's 72 steals are a team-high and Garrison's 4.4 assists per game lead the squad.
As a team, the Bears feature eight upperclassmen, including five seniors, while 13 Bears average 7.5 minutes per game or more. Offensively, MSU out scores its opponents 72.7 to 65.2, while dishing out 3.5 assists more per game (15.6-12.1) than the opposition. Defensively, Missouri State is limiting opponents to just 39. 2 percent shooting from the field, including 30.7 from three-point range. On the glass, they are out-rebounding the competition 41.9 to 37.4.
Series Records
Missouri State leads the all-time series 5-1, including a 4-0 mark all-time as Division I opponents. The last meeting between the two teams came on Dec. 18, 1999, with the Bears winning 87-61. The 'Roos only win in the series was a 75-60 victory on Jan. 23, 1983 in Kansas City.
Whitaker Against the Bears
Head Coach Candace Whitaker has never faced Missouri State during her tenure as the head coach at UMKC. Against Missouri Valley opponents, Coach Whitaker holds a 1-3 record, picking up the only win against Drake in 2009.
Last Time Out
The No. 3 seed UMKC women's basketball team (22-11, 11-7) fell in the 2012 Summit League Championship Final, 78-77 in overtime to South Dakota State (24-8, 16-2) on Tuesday afternoon at the Sioux Falls Arena.
Senior Dayon Hall-Jones finished with a team-high 27 including 19 in the second half and overtime. Junior Kim Nezianya added 17 points and 12 rebounds for her eighth double-double of the season and second of the tournament, while sophomore Eilise O'Connor was the only other Kangaroo in double figures, finishing with 11 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three steals.
As a team, the 'Roos out-rebounded SDSU 46-37, while out-scoring them 17-5 on second chance points. Individually, senior Brianna Eldridge registered four points, seven rebounds and three assists, while fellow senior LeAndrea Thomas finished with six points, two rebounds and an assist.
Senior Jade Tinner, meanwhile, grabbed six rebounds and scored four points, while junior Emile Blakesley buried a pair of three for six points.
'Roos In The Postseason
The invitation to the Women's National Invitational Tournament marks the second postseason appearance for the 'Roos in school history and the first in the WNIT. The previous postseason trip for the 'Roos occurred in 2010 in the inaugural Women's Basketball Invitational against Memphis. In the game, UMKC fell to the Tigers in the first round, 72-67. In the defeat, then freshman Kim Nezianya led the 'Roos with a then career-high 20 points, while then sophomore Dayon Hall-Jones finished with 13. The 'Roos out-shot the Tigers in every category and the UMKC bench combined for 36 points compared to 14 by Memphis. The Tigers, though, owned the boards (41-29) and limited the 'Roos to just five offensive rebounds.
2012 UMKC Women's Basketball Team Accomplishments
- 22 win is the 2nd most in school history and only second 20 win season
- 6 road wins is most in school history
- 12 home wins is third most in school history
- 4 neutral court wins is the most in school history
- Played in Summit League Tournament Championship Game for the 2nd time in UMKC history
- Won for the first time in school history in Fargo against NDSU
- Snapped 13 game losing streak to Oakland
- Defeated three RPI top-100 teams
- Led The Summit League in off. rebound % (.357) and off. rebounding (14.3)
- Had five comeback wins when trailing by double-digits
2012 UMKC Women's Basketball Individual Accomplishments
#1 Kim Nezianya
- Named to the Fourth Team all-Summit League by College Sports Madness
- Named to the all-Summit League Tournament Team
- Registered eight double-doubles on the year
- 256 rebounds are the sixth most in a season in UMKC history
- 585 rebounds are the seventh most in a career in UMKC history
- Scored 43 points on Dec. 31 against Oral Roberts
o Fifth most points in the NCAA this season (43)
o Most points in The Summit League this season (43)
o Second most points in Summit League history in any game (43)
o Most points in Summit League history in league game (43)
o Three points shy of UMKC single game scoring record (43)
o UMKC record for points (31), 3-pt. field goals (seven) and field goals (12) in a half
o UMKC record for three-point field goals in a game (nine)
o Tied for the most three-point field goals in a Summit League game (nine)
o Scored first 17 UMKC points on 7-of-7 shooting (3-of-3 3-pt. FG)
- Named to The 2012 Summit League Championship all-Tournament Team
- World Vision Basketball Invitational all-Tournament Team
- Selected to the First Team all-Summit League by The Summit League
- Named to the Second Team all-Summit League by College Sports Madness
- Named Summit League Player of the Week on Jan. 3 by The Summit League
- Named Summit League POW on Dec. 12 and Jan. 2 by College Sports Madness
- Scored 1,000th point on Feb. 27 in just three seasons (1,054 - 9th in UMKC history)
- 562 points is the second most in a season in school history
- Tied for 4th most FG made in a season (197) and 2nd most FG attempted (531)
- 17.0 ppg ranks as the 6th in UMKC history, while 66 3-pt. FG is tied for 5th
- 102 free throws is tied for the 7th in school history and 145 atts. are tied for 5th
- 100 career 3-pt. FG made are 6th in UMKC history and 284 atts. are tied for 7th
- 254 free throws are 4th in school history and 340 attempts are tied for 4th
#10 LeAndrea Thomas
- Named the 2012 Summit League Sixth Woman of the Year
- Named College Sports Madness Summit League Player of the Week on Nov. 28
- Set the UMKC record for games played in a career (124)
- 84 steals rank as the fifth most in a season in UMKC history
- Ranks fifth in UMKC career history in assists (314), third in steals (244), sixth in 3-pt. FGs made and seventh in 3-pt. FGs attempted (315)
#15 Eilise O'Connor
- all-Summit League Honorable Mention Selection
- Named to the Third Team all-Summit League by College Sports Madness
- Finished with the most assists in the league
- 151 assists are the fourth most in a season
All-Summit League Tournament
Senior guard Dayon Hall-Jones and junior forward Kim Nezianya were named to The Summit League Tournament all-Tournament Team . In the tournament, Hall-Jones averaged a team-high 17.7 points per game, including a game-high 27 in the championship against South Dakota State. In each of the three games, the Dallas, Texas, native scored in double figures, adding 11 in the opener against Oakland and 15 in the semifinal match-up with Western Illinois. Nezianya, meanwhile, scored in double figures in all three games, while posting double-doubles against Oakland (15 pts., 14 rebs.) and South Dakota State (17 pts., 12 rebs.). Overall, the Carrollton, Texas, native averaged 14.7 points, 11.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steals per game.
Hall-Jones Named First Team All-Summit League
Dayon Hall-Jones earned her first all-league selection after leading the 'Roos with 17.0 points per game, while adding 2.0 assists and 2.0 rebounds per contest. On Dec. 31, the Dallas, Texas, native scored 43 points against Oral Roberts, the fourth highest total in the NCAA this season and the highest total by any player in a Summit League game in league history. Her nine threes in the contest, meanwhile, were a UMKC and Summit League record. Sophomore guard Eilise O'Connor, meanwhile, received honorable mention honors after averaging 10.5 points per game, 4.9 assists, 4.1 rebounds per game and 1.8 steals per game.
College Sports Madness Honors Hall-Jones, O'Connor and Nezianya as all-Summit League Performers
UMKC senior guard Dayon Hall-Jones was named to the Second Team all-Summit League by College Sports Madness, while sophomore Eilise O'Connor was named to the third team and junior Kim Nezianya received fourth team recognition.
Hall-Jones earns her the selection after leading the 'Roos with 17.0 points per game, while adding 2.0 assists and 2.0 rebounds per contest. On Dec. 31, the Dallas, Texas, native scored 43 points against Oral Roberts, the fourth highest total in the NCAA this season and the highest total by any player in a Summit League game in league history. Her nine threes in the contest, meanwhile, were a UMKC and Summit League record. Twice this season, College Sports Madness named Hall-Jones its Summit League Player of the Week.
O'Connor received third team recognition honors after averaging 10.5 points per game, 4.9 assists, 4.1 rebounds per game and 1.8 steals per game. Her 4.9 assists were a Summit League-high, while her 10.5 points ranked third on the team. On Monday, the San Francisco, Calif., native received all-Summit League Honorable Mention honors.
Nezianya, meanwhile, was named to the fourth team after scoring 10.7 points per game, the second highest mark on the team, grabbing a team-high 7.4 rebounds per game and shooting a team-best .407 from three-point range. Six times this season the Carrollton, Texas, native has notched a double-double.
Thomas Named Summit League Sixth Woman of the Year
LeAndrea Thomas garnered Sixth Woman of the Year honors after notching 9.3 points per game, 2.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.6 steals per game. On Jan. 16, the Kansas City, Mo., native scored a career-high 24 points at North Dakota State, leading the 'Roos to their first ever win over the Bison in Fargo. On Nov. 28, Thomas was named the College Sports Madness Summit League Player of the Week after helping the 'Roos to a 3-1 record and a runner-up finish at the World Vision Basketball Invitational
300th Win
The UMKC women's basketball program currently sits on 299 wins and will get number 300 with a win on Thursday over Missouri State.
Superlatives
Two UMKC superlatives stick out with the UMKC women's basketball team. Win the 'Roos out-shoot a team, they are 19-2 overall and when they out-rebound a team, they are 16-3.
The Seniors
On Feb. 27, the UMKC women's basketball team honored the six members of its senior class, Simone Bridges, Dayon Hall-Jones, Brianna Eldridge, LeAndrea Thomas, Jade Tinner and Mariah Scaife. Combined the six members have played 22 seasons, 652 games and over 12,000 minutes with 292 starts, registering over 3500 points, over 1800 rebounds, over 850 assists, over 550 steals and nearly 150 blocks, while taking part in 61 wins in the past four seasons.
1,000 Point Club
UMKC senior Dayon Hall-Jones recently became the 10th member of UMKC's 1,000 point club. She now sits 10th in the UMKC record books in scoring with 1,054 points, ninth place all-time at UMKC and fifth place in the Division I era.
Comeback Kids
Five times this season, the UMKC women's basketball team has overcome a double-digit deficit to claim victory. On Nov. 26, the 'Roos trailed Louisiana-Monroe by 16, on Dec. 9, trailed Eastern Michigan by 11, on Jan. 4, trailed New Mexico State by 10, on Jan. 7., trailed South Dakota by 10 and on Feb. 13, trailed North Dakota State by 13. In the five games, the Kangaroos have ended up winning by and average margin of seven after trailing by an average margin of 12. In all, the 'Roos have trailed in 12 games that they have gone on to win.
Career Marks
Several 'Roos have climbed their way up the top-10 list in the UMKC record books this season, including LeAndrea Thomas, Jade Tinner, Dayon Hall-Jones, Kim Nezianya, Mariah Scaife and Ashli Hill. Thomas has now played in the most games in UMKC history with 124, while sitting third in steals (244), fifth in assists (314), sixth three-point field goals made (107) and seventh three-point field goals attempted (315) . Tinner, meanwhile, is sixth in field goal percentage (.511) and is fourth in games played (122), while Hall-Jones is ninth in three-point field goal percentage (.352), fourth in free throws made (254), tied for fifth in free throws attempted (340) and ninth in scoring (1054). Hill and Scaife, meanwhile, rank third (141) and sixth (68), respectively in blocks, while Nezianya is seventh in rebounds (585).
Season Marks
Dayon Hall-Jones, Kim Nezianya, Eilise O'Connor and LeAndrea Thomas have each cracked the top-10 in the UMKC annals in several categories. Hall-Jones ranks second in points (562) and field goal attempts (531), tied for fourth in field goals and three-point field goal attempts (179), tied for fifth in three-point field goals (66) and free throw attempts (145), sixth in scoring (17.0) and eighth in free throws (102). Nezianya is sixth in rebounds (256) and ninth in three-point field goal percent (.406), while O'Connor is fourth in assists (151), seventh in free throws (103) and eighth in free throw attempts (134). LeAndrea Thomas, meanwhile, is fifth in steals (84).
Hall-Jones' Marks Against Oral Roberts
In the Dec. 31 game against ORU, senior Dayon Hall-Jones achieved several marks including:
- Second most points in the NCAA this season (43).
- Most points in The Summit League this season (43).
- Second most points in Summit League history in any game (43).
- Most points in Summit League history in league game (43).
- Three points shy of UMKC single game scoring record (43).
- UMKC record for points (31), three-point field goals (seven) and field goals (12) in a half.
- UMKC record for three-point field goals in a game (nine).
- Tied for the most three-point field goals in a Summit League game (nine).
- Scored first 17 UMKC points on 7-of-7 shooting (3-of-3 3-pt. FG)
Not A One Woman Show
In the Dec. 31 match-up with Oral Roberts, senior guard Dayon-Hall Jones went off for 43 points, but was not the only 'Roos to post an impressive performance. In the contest sophomore Eilise O'Connor and junior Kim Nezianya each posted double-doubles, the second and third on the team this season. For O'Connor, the guard finished with a career-high and Summit League season-high 12 assists, 10 points, six rebounds and a steal, while Nezianya posted her second consecutive double-double with 13 points, a career-high 14 rebounds, two steals and a block. Sophomore Ashli Hill, meanwhile, finished with 13 points, six rebounds, three blocks and a career-high three steals.
UMKC In The RPI
In the RPI rankings released by the NCAA, the Kangaroos appear as the 150th ranked team in the nation and the fourth highest team in The Summit League trailing only South Dakota State (55), South Dakota (87) and Oral Roberts (116).
'Roos In League Play
In Summit League play, senior Dayon Hall-Jones averaged a team-high 16.1 points per game, while adding nearly two assists per game. Junior Kim Nezianya, meanwhile, score 10.4 points per game and grabbed 8.2 rebounds per game, while sophomore Eilise O'Connor registered 12.3 points per game, 5.5 assists per game, 4.8 rebounds per game and 1.8 steals per game.
Knoche Joins The Squad
After finishing her career with the 'Roo volleyball team, UMKC senior Kelsey Knoche switched gears and joined the 'Roo basketball team for the rest of the season. Knoche, who has placed her name throughout the UMKC volleyball record book, was an outside hitter for the volleyball team and will serve as a forward for the hoops team.
Hometown Show
On Dec. 17, UMKC sophomore Ashli Hill had a career performance in her hometown of Lawrence, Kan. against Kansas. On the night, the 6-5 center finished with career-highs in points (20), field goals (8), field goal attempts (15) and minutes played (30) in front of her friends and family.
Overtime Warriors
During a five game stretch from Nov. 26-Dec. 9 , the UMKC women's basketball team played in four overtime contests, beginning with its 76-70 win over Louisiana-Monroe in the World Vision Basketball Tournament. On Dec. 1 and 3, meanwhile, the 'Roos dropped a pair of Summit League games, 70-65 to Oakland and 82-76 to IPFW, before defeating EMU 70-68 on Dec. 9. In the four games, sophomore Eilise O'Connor topped the team with 16.3 ppg, while Kim Nezianya (15.0) and Dayon Hall-Jones (16.0) also averaged double figures. Brianna Eldridge, meanwhile, is grabbed 10.5 rebounds in the stretch.
Three-point Sharpshooters
This season, the 'Roos have been hot from the outside, as the squad has hit 35.2 percent of its three-point attempts, the 21st best mark in the NCAA and made 6.3 three-point field goals per game, the 51st best mark. 10 times this season, the Kangaroos have shot better than 40.0 percent from beyond the arc, while Kim Nezianya (.406) is topping the 40 percent mark individually.
Dishing It Out
Entering the WNIT, the Kangaroos are averaging 14.8 assists per game, the second best mark in The Summit League and 40th best in the NCAA. The 29 assists in the outing against Houston Baptist and the 23 in the opener against NW Missouri State, meanwhile, rank as two of the highest totals in the league. Individually, two 'Roos are in the top-15 in the league in assists, including Eilise O'Connor (second-4.7 apg) and LeAndrea Thomas (14th-2.4 apg).
'Roos in the NCAA Rankings
As of Mar. 14, the UMKC women's basketball team has placed itself in the top-50 of several NCAA categories, including sitting 21st in three-point percentage (35.2). The 'Roos also rank 26th in scoring offense (71.8), 40th in assists per game (14.8) and 47th in assist turnover ratio (0.91). Individually, Dayon Hall-Jones ranks 58th in scoring (17.0) and 43rd in three-point field goal percent (36.9), while LeAndrea Thomas ranks 68th in steals (2.5), Ashli Hill ranks 35th in blocks (2.1) and Eilise O'Connor ranks 47th in assists (4.7) and 99th in assist turnover ratio (1.45).
Atop The Summit League Rankings
As a team, the 'Roos have placed themselves atop the Summit League in offensive rebound percent (.357) and offensive rebounds (14.3 orpg). Individually, Brianna Eldridge leads in offensive rebounds (3.6 orpg).
Hall-Jones Named College Sports Madness And Summit League Player Of The Week
UMKC senior Dayon Hall-Jones was named the College Sports Madness Summit League Player of the Week for the second times this season and the Summit League Player of the Week after helping the 'Roos to Summit League wins over Southern Utah and Oral Roberts.
Hall-Jones opened up the week with 15 points in the 81-61 win over Southern Utah, before going off for 43 points in the 92-79 win over Summit League preseason favorite Oral Roberts. Against the Golden Eagles, the Dallas, Texas native opened the game going 7-for-7, scoring the 'Roos' first 17 points en route to a school-record 31 first half points. In the opening session, Hall-Jones shot 12-of-15 from the field, including 7-of-8 from three-point range, setting school records for field goals and three-point field goals made in a half.
In the second half, the 5-4 guard added 12 points to her total, giving her 43 for the game and The Summit League record for most points scored in a league contest. In all, Hall-Jones' 43 points rank as the most points by a Summit League player this season, are three shy of the UMKC record and just one shy of The Summit League record for any game. In the game, the senior finished 16-of-25 from the field, including a UMKC school record and a Summit League record tying nine three-point field goals.
Hall-Jones Named College Sport Madness Summit League Player of the Week
UMKC senior Dayon Hall-Jones was named the College Sports Madness Summit League Player of the Week after helping the 'Roos to a 70-68 overtime win over Eastern Michigan on Friday. Against the Eagles, Hall-Jones finished with 27 points, two shy of her career-high, on 10-of-19 shooting, including 4-of-7 from three-point range. In the game, the Dallas, Texas, native opened both the first and second halves with three-point field goals to help the 'Roos overcome an 11-point deficit, while scoring the first two point of overtime as well.
Hall-Jones named All-Tournament at World Vision Basketball Invitational
Dayon Hall-Jones was named to the all-Tournament Team at the World Vision Basketball invitational after leading the team with 14.7 points per game, while adding 2.7 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals during the three games.
Thomas named College Sports Madness Summit League Player of the Week
Senior LeAndrea Thomas was named the College Sports Madness Summit League Player of the Week after helping the 'Roos to a 3-1 record and a runner-up finish at the World Vision Basketball Invitational. During the week, Thomas led the 'Roos to a 100-63 win over North Florida, where she matched her career-high with 20 points and set a new career-high with four three-point field goals made, while adding five steals in the effort. In the World Vision Basketball Invitational, Thomas helped the Kangaroos to a 2-1 record, including wins over Louisiana-Monroe and Central Arkansas. Against the Sugar Bears, Thomas finished with a team-high 17 points to go along with four rebounds, three steals and three assists.
Home Cooking
The 'Roos finished 12-3 at home during 2011-12, the third best home record in the school's Division I era. As a team, the 'Roos averaged over 76 points per game, while allowing on 63.2 ppg. Four times this season, the squad has topped the 90 point mark at the SRC.
'Roos Ink Five In Early Signing Period
Head Coach Candace Whitaker and the UMKC women's basketball team picked up five signings of the early signing period with the addition of 5-8 point guard Kelsey Barnwell, 5-9 guard Lauren Dudding, 6-0 forward Taylor Leathers , 6-0 guard Brittany Atkins and 6-4 center Kara Lee. The group will help fill the void created by the departure of the six seniors on this year's roster.
The Summit League Releases Women's Basketball Preseason Poll; 'Roos Tabbed Sixth
The UMKC women's basketball team was picked to finished sixth in The Summit League standings in a vote by the league's head coaches, SIDs and media. The 'Roos, who return all five starters to a team that finished 14-16 overall and 9-9 in league play, received 181 points in the voting.
School (1st place votes) Points
1. Oral Roberts (24) 438
2. Oakland (2) 356
3. South Dakota State (1) 328
4. IPFW 280
5. North Dakota State 257
6. UMKC 181
7. South Dakota 159
8. Southern Utah 146
9. IUPUI 99
10. Western Illinois 68
Last Season
During the 2010-11 season, the 'Roos posted a 14-16 record overall and a 9-9 mark in Summit League play, including wins over Oral Roberts and IPFW, the top two teams in the league. On Feb. 18-19, the Kangaroos took home the Lady Osprey Holiday Tournament title with Eilise O'Connor claiming MVP honors. On the season, O'Connor led UMKC in scoring at 10.0 points per game, while Dayon Hall Jones recorded an average of 9.6 points per game. On the glass, Kim Nezianya grabbed a team-high 5.7 rebounds per game, while Brianna Eldridge chipped in 5.3 caroms each contest.
O'Connor In 2010-11
As a freshman in 2010-11, San Francisco, Calif., native Eilise O'Connor had a season to remember. During the year, O'Connor led the 'Roos in scoring (10.0) and assists (82), while moving into the top-10 in 10 different UMKC freshman records. On the season, O'Connor claimed MVP honors at the Lady Osprey Holiday Tournament and a spot on The Summit League all-Newcomer Team, while being named a Distinguished Scholar on The Summit League Winter/Spring all-Academic Team.
Hill Blocks Her Way Into Record Books
Last season, Ashli Hill amassed 72 blocks for the Kangaroos, an average of 2.5 per game. That total ranks as the best ever by a UMKC freshman by more than 30 blocks and stands as the fourth most in a season by any 'Roo. Her one year total, meanwhile, already ranks as the fifth most in a career in school history, just seven behind third place.
Three New 'Roos in 2011-12
The 2011-12 UMKC roster will feature three new 'Roos, freshmen Lexis Hardiek and Sydney Crimmins and junior Emile Blakesley. Hardiek joins the squad out of Hill City, Kan., where she set the Kansas state record for three-point field goals made in a career and a season, while Crimmins was named to the North Central Kansas League First Team in each of her four seasons. Blakesley, meanwhile, averaged 9.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 3.3 apg and 2.5 spg last season at Hutchinson CC.
Kangaroos Have Deep Bench
Last season, 13 'Roos averaged eight minutes or more and played in at least 22 games on the season. This season the squad returns 13 of those players with three newcomers being added to the mix.
Six Seniors Lead The Way
This season, the UMKC line-up will feature six seniors with a combined 17 season in the Blue & Gold. As a unit, Simone Bridges, Brianna Eldridge, Dayon Hall-Jones, Mariah Scaife, LeAndrea Thomas and Jade Tinner have played in nearly 500 games for the 'Roos, starting over 225 contests.
Head Coach Candace Whitaker
Candace Whitaker was named the head coach of the UMKC women's basketball program on Mar. 19, 2007. Whitaker, who is the seventh head coach in the Division I era at UMKC, enters her sixth season at the helm of the Kangaroos.
In 2010-11, Whitaker led the 'Roos to a 14-16 record overall and a 9-9 mark in Summit League play, including wins over Oral Roberts and IPFW, the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the league. During the season, the 'Roos were crowned champions of the Lady Osprey Holiday Tournament, where freshman Eilise O'Connor was named Tournament MVP. Under her guidance as a former point guard, Whitaker helped guide O'Connor to a spot on The Summit League all-Newcomer Team, while fellow freshman Ashli Hill made her mark on the defensive end, setting the UMKC freshman record with 72 blocks, the fourth most all-time in a season in school history.
A native of Canyon, Texas, Whitaker received a bachelor of science degree in exercise sport science from Texas Tech in 2002. She also earned a master's degree in sports administration at Valparaiso in 2004, where she received the Athenaeum award for academics. She was married to Matt Whitaker on April 28, 2007, and the couple had their first child, Westin, in December of 2009.
The Staff
The 2011-12 UMKC women's basketball coaching staff returns entirely intact after last season. Associate head coach Bruce Erickson enters his third season with the program, while assistant coaches Wyketha Harrell and Meredith Doyle enter their fifth and second years at UMKC, respectively. Jessica Trahan, meanwhile, enter her fourth season as the Director of Basketball Operations with the program, while Liz Sowers is in her first year as a graduate assistant coach after serving as a manager last season.
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 2011-12 campaign, 30 of the 32 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 sixth straight season.
KSMO, meanwhile, will broadcast four TV games this season, including Jan. 7 against South Dakota, Jan. 21 against IUPUI, Feb. 11 against South Dakota State and Feb. 25 against IPFW.
