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Kangaroos Aim For Two In A Row Against Bison
1/30/2013 4:33:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Kansas City women's basketball team (7-14, 3-5) will look to win its second straight game for just the second time this season when it host North Dakota State (7-13, 3-5) on Thursday night. The game between the Kangaroos and the Bison is slated for a 7 p.m. tip at the Swinney Recreation Center.
Opponent Preview
North Dakota State enters the contest with a 7-13 record overall and a 3-5 mark in league play, falling to Omaha last weekend. Katie Birkel (13.3 ppg) and Dani DeGagne (12.3) lead the team in scoring, while Marena Whittle (7.4 rpg) and DeGagne (6.6 rpg) are tops in rebounding. As a team, the Bison are shooting 76.7 percent from the free throw line.
Series Records
North Dakota State leads the series 7-5 overall despite the Kangaroos winning both contests a season ago. On Jan. 16, the 'Roos won 76-58 in Fargo, their first road win in the series, and 68-64 on Feb. 13 in Kansas City. Earlier this season, the Bison won 59-48 with junior Eilise O'Connor leading the Kansas City offensive attack with 14 points, while fellow juniors Lee and Hailey Houser each chipped in 10.
Coaching Matchup
Renowned for her top-notch recruiting classes, Marsha Frese enters her first season as head women's basketball coach at UMKC. Named as the Kangaroo head coach on April 25, 2012, Frese brings 15 seasons of experience as a Division-I player and coach to the UMKC campus. Prior to UMKC, Frese served as the associate head coach at Northern Illinois and Illinois, while serving as an assistant at Ball State, Maryland and Minnesota during her career.
Carolyn DeHoff enters her fifth season as head women's basketball coach at North Dakota State University with more than the usual head coaching experiences in her back pocket. She has compiled a 56-62 record overall including a 40-32 ledger in The Summit League. NDSU finished the 2012 season 11-20 overall with an 8-10 record in The Summit League, good for fifth place. Her first season saw the roster whittled down to six scholarship players and two walk-ons; NDSU stayed focused and put together a 16-13 record overall, including a 12-6 mark in The Summit League and third place finish.
Last Time Out
The Kansas City women's basketball held a one point lead with less than 15 seconds left on the clock, needing a stop on the defensive end to head home with a Summit League road win over Western Illinois. The Kangaroos would answer the call, keeping the Leathernecks without a shot attempt on the game's final possession to come away with a 51-50 win on Saturday night at Western Hall. The win gives the 'Roos a 7-14 record overall and 3-5 mark in league play, while Western Illinois falls to 10-10 overall and 3-5 in The Summit League.
For the 'Roos, junior Eilise O'Connor led the team with 20 points and a career-high tying nine rebounds to go along with two assists, two steals and a block, while senior Emile Blakesley and junior Ashli Hill each chipped in 10 points in the win.
O'Connor Grabs Back-To-Back POW Honors
Eilise O'Connor earned her second Player of the Week award this season after scoring a career-high 34 points in a win over Fort Wayne. In addition to her 34 points, she grabbed seven rebounds and connected on a school record 17 free throws. On Thursday, the junior guard scored 26 points with eight rebounds and three steals against Oakland. For the week, O'Connor averaged 30 points, 7.5 rebounds, two steals and one assist per game. She went 26-of-27 (.963) from the free throw line and 16-of-31 (.516) from the field in the two contests. With her 30 points per game average, O'Connor nearly doubled her averaged of 15.5 points coming into the week.
The following week, in the one-point loss at IUPUI, the junior guard scored 24 points, grabbed five rebounds with three assists and two steals. She also shot 53 percent (8-of-15) from the field and set the school record for free throws made in a season. O'Connor tallied 20 points and pulled down nine rebounds in the win at Western Illinois. The San Francisco, Calif., native has a streak of 22-straight free throws made and has connected on 39 of her last 40 at the charity stripe. For the week, O'Connor averaged 22 points, seven rebounds, 2.5 assists and two steals per game. She was perfect at the line (11-of-11) and shot 44 percent (15-of-34) from the field and 75 percent (3-of-4) from behind the arc.
Double-Doubles
Freshman Taylor Leathers has posted two double-doubles this season, on Dec. 28 against Omaha with 10 points and 12 rebounds and Jan. 12 against South Dakota with 12 points and 10 rebounds, tied for the team lead with senior Kim Nezianya. Nezianya recorded her double-doubles against SEMO with 23 points and 11 rebounds and at VCU with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Eilise O'Connor, meanwhile, has one, versus Boise State with 23 points and 13 assists.
Closing In On 1,000
Eilise O'Connor is nearing the 1,000 point mark in school history, as the San Francisco native currently sits at 995. If she reaches the plateau, she would be the 11th player in school history to top 1,000 points.
O'Connor At The Line
On Jan. 19, junior Eilise O'Connor made a Kansas City school record 17 free throws against Fort Wayne. Currently, the 17 free throws is tied for the most in the NCAA this season, while ranking 17th in individual game percentage, trailing only the 16 players at 1.000 percent. On the season, her 128 free throws are a new school record for free throws in a season, while her 86.5 % ranks second in the league and 25th in the NCAA. As a team, the 'Roos rank 60th in the NCAA and third in the league at 72.9%. Entering the contest, O'Connor has made 22 straight free throws and 39 of her last 40.
'Roos In The Community
This season, the 'Roos have spent time in the community, including volunteering at Morning Glory Cafe, the local soup kitchen, and holding clinics for youth interested in basketball. This week, the squad went to Bentwood Elementary to promote reading to the students.
Dishing It Out
This season, Eilise O'Connor has eclipsed the 300 assist mark and now sits sixth in school history with 313. This season, she has recorded the 12th most assists in a game in the NCAA when she handed out 13 on Dec. 1 against Boise State. 14 times she has led the team and currently ranks fourth in The Summit League at 3.9.
Solid Starter
This season, one player as started all 21 games for the 'Roos: Emile Blakesley. To date, the senior leads the team in steals, while ranking second in assists.
Going the Distance
On the season, junior point guard Eilise O'Connor has played all 40 minutes of the game in 11 contests; Nov. 9 vs. Missouri Western State, Nov. 15 vs. Saint Louis, Nov. 30 at Air Force, Dec. 7 at Minnesota, Dec. 19 at Texas Southern, Dec. 21 at New Mexico State, Jan. 3 at South Dakota State, Jan. 17 vs. Oakland, Jan. 19 vs., Fort Wayne, Jan. 24 at IUPUI and Jan. 26 at Western Illinois. Overall, the San Francisco native is averaging 37.2 minutes per game.
O'Connor and Nezianya Nab Back-to-Back POW Honors
Eilise O'Connor was named The Summit League Player of the Week on Dec. 3 after averaging 26.5 points, 10 assists, five rebounds and 1.5 steals per game with a 2.9 assist/turnover ratio. She also shot 52 percent (15-of-29) from the floor, including 89 percent (8-of-9) from long-range.
Kim Nezianya,meanwhile, garnered the honor on Nov. 26 after averaging 14.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 steals per contest while shooting 44 percent (18-of-41) from the field, 40 percent (2-of-5) from behind the arc and 71 percent (5-of-7) at the line.
Blakesley Earns 'Roos Third POW Honor
Kansas City women's basketball senior guard Emile Blakesley was named The Summit League Player of the Week after recording a career-high 16 points against Eastern Michigan after entering the contest averaging just 1.9 ppg. She also added career-highs of five rebounds, four assists, four steals, five field goals and four 3-pointers made. Blakesley shot 71 percent (5-of-7) from the field, 67 percent (4-of-6) from downtown and was a perfect 2-for-2 from the free throw line.
Nezianya and O'Connor Named All-Tournament
Senior Kim Nezianya was named to the LIU Turkey Classic All-Tournament Team after averaging 16.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2.0 apg and 2.0 spg., while shooting 50.0% from three-point range. Eilise O'Connor, meanwhile, captured her second career all-tournament team honor after being named to the Air Force Classic All-Tournament Team with averages of 26.5 points, 10.0 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals, while hitting 8-of-9 from three-point range in the win over Air Force and the loss to Boise State.
Shot Blocker
Junior Center Ashli Hill has made her mark on the defensive end of the court for the 'Roos, as the Lawrence, Kan., native currently ranks 51st in the nation and first in The Summit League in blocked shots at 1.8 per game, while the 'Roos as a team are second in the league at 3.7 bpg. Her 179 career blocks, meanwhile, rank second in school history and 11th in league history.
Coaching Family
Kansas City head coach Marsha Frese comes from a strong coaching family as her sister, Brenda Frese, serves as the head coach at the University of Maryland. Since her first season at the helm when the team won just 10 games, Frese has guided Maryland to a National Championship in 2006, nine winning seasons, eight-straight 20-win seasons, four 30-win campaigns and eight trips to the NCAA Tournament. In 2006-07, Maryland also received its first-ever No. 1 preseason national ranking, remaining in the top spot in the polls for 10-consecutive weeks.
Summit League Ranks
Lexis Hardiek is fourth in 3-pt.% (39.7), while Eilise O'Connor is second in scoring (17.6), second in FT% (86.5) and fourth in assists (3.9). Defensively, Ashli Hill ranks first in blocks (1.8) and Hailey Houser is eighth (0.8).
Kansas City Record Book
Several members of the current Kansas City women's basketball team have already placed their names in the school's record book. Senior Kim Nezianya is currently fifth all-time in rebounds with 639 in her career and ninth in three-point percentage at .354. Junior Ashli Hill, meanwhile, is second all-time in blocks with 179. Junior Eilise O'Connor, the final 'Roo, is third in free throws made (311), tied for fourth in free throw percentage (.804) and sixth in assists (313) in her career. Her 128 made free throws this season, meanwhile, are a school record.
300th Win
The UMKC women's basketball program picked up its 300th win with its 69-64 win over Southeast Missouri State on Nov. 12.
Future 'Roos in the Fold
Head Coach Marsha Frese and the Kansas City women's basketball team added three future 'Roos to the mix during the early signing period with the addition of 5-7 point guard Calli White, 6-0 forward Taylor Strickland and 6-1 forward Grace Mitchell. The trio will represent the first signing class under Frese. White and Strickland join the 'Roos as all-state performers out of Arkansas where they are teammates on Team Arkansas AAU team, while Mitchell comes from Plano, Texas and was her team's MVP a season ago.
O' Captain
Senior forward Kim Nezianya and junior guard Eilise O'Connor were named as the Team Captains in a vote by the team's players and coaches. The players were selected after members of the team went through an evaluation process with their teammates and coaches.
'Roos Tabbed Second in Summit League Preseason Poll
The Kansas City women's basketball team was picked to finish second in The Summit League this season in a vote by the league head coaches, SID's and media.
School (1st place votes) Points
1. South Dakota State (22) 330
2. Kansas City (1) 260
3. Oakland 234
O'Connor and Nezianya Honored by the League
Senior forward Kim Nezianya and junior guard Eilise O'Connor were each selected to the Preseason First Team All-Summit League. Kansas City teammates Nezianya, an all-tournament team honoree last season, and O'Connor, and Honorable Mention All-League selection, represent the only teammates on the First Team after helping the Kangaroos to just their second appearance all-time in the championship game last year.
College Sports Madness Recognizes a Trio of 'Roos
Kansas City women's basketball junior Eilise O'Connor was named to the preseason First Team All-Summit League, while senior Kim Nezianya and junior Ashli Hill were each named to the Second Team according to College Sports Madness.
Rockin' 'Roo Talent Show
The women's basketball team walked away the winners of the third annual Rockin' Roo Talent Show on April 12. This year's event was held at the Student Union Theater on the UMKC campus and consisted of celebrity judges evaluating nine teams and their acts in front of a crowd of 300.
Cousins on the Roster
The UMKC roster will feature cousins Kelsey Barnwell and Lauren Dudding this season after the duo each decided to join the 'Roos out of separate states. Barnwell comes to the squad out of Kansas, Okla., while Dudding is a Lubbock, Texas, native. Junior Eilise O'Connor, meanwhile, enters her third season in the Blue & Gold after becoming familiar with the school thanks to her cousin and UMKC Hall of Famer Katie Houlehan.
Teammates Reunited
This season, senior Emile Blakesley and junior Kara Lee are reunited on the court after spending the 2010-11 season as teammates at Hutchinson Community College. That year, the duo helped the Blue Dragons to 29-4 record, a conference championship and a spot in the NJCAA Region VI Semifinals.
Nezianya on the Glass
Senior forward Kim Nezianya entered the 2012-13 season as the leading active rebounder in The Summit League with 592. After leading the Kangaroos in rebounding in each of her first three seasons, along with her 47 rebounds this season, the Carrollton, Texas, native now has 639 in her career, fifth most in school history.
Swinney Recreation Center
The home of UMKC Athletics, the Swinney Recreation Center houses the Kangaroo administration, coaches and student-athletes. The Dutton Brookfield Strength and Conditioning Center, the Victor F. Swyden Athletics Training Facility and the Student-Athlete Support Services Office also are located in the facility. Over the past three seasons, the facility has received a major face-lift including upgraded bleachers and a new floor installed this past summer.
2012 Kansas City 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 3rd most in school history
- 4 neutral court wins is the most in school history
- Advanced to WNIT for 1st time in history
- Played in Summit League Tournament Championship Game for the 2nd time in school history
- 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
Fresh Faces
In 2012-13, the Kangaroo roster will feature five newcomers, including four freshman who will see plenty of action with just 12 players on the roster. This year's club welcomes in junior college transfer Kara Lee, along with freshman Taylor Leathers, Jordan Evans, Lauren Dudding and Kelsey Barnwell.
The Staff
The 2012-13 Kansas City women's basketball coaching staff returns four members from last season's staff, while adding one new assistant coach. Associate head coach Bruce Erickson enters his fourth season with the program, while assistant coach Meredith Doyle enters her third year at UMKC. Jessica Trahan, meanwhile, enters her fifth season as the Director of Basketball Operations with the program, while Liz Sowers is in her second year as a graduate assistant coach after serving as a graduate manager. Danielle Gratton is the final member of the staff, serving as the squad's other assistant in her first season.
'Roos In The Classroom
Last season, eight 'Roos were named to The Summit League Academic All-League team, Kaycie Boyles, Sydney Crimmins, Brianna Eldridge, Dayon Hall-Jones, Lexis Hardiek, Kelsey Knoche, Kim Nezianya and Eilise O'Connor. In order to be named to academic all-league team, each student-athlete must post a GPA of 3.0 or higher in the semester in which they compete. Additionally, Boyles, Crimmins, Hardiek, Knoche and O'Connor were each named a Distinguished Scholar for posting a GPA above 3.6.
Meanwhile, Boyles, Eldridge, Hall-Jones, Hailey Houser, Knoche, Nezianya and O'Connor, were named to the Commissioner's List of Academic Excellence for posting a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
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 2012-13 campaign, all 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 seventh straight season.
KSMO, meanwhile, will broadcast two TV games this season, including Nov. 8 against Colorado and Dec. 28 against Omaha.
