Kansas City
Emporia State University
Hornets Knock Off 'Roos in Season Opener, 81-76
11/8/2013 7:32:00 PM | Men's Basketball
(Kansas City, Mo.) – The UMKC men's basketball team set a school record with 53 free throw attempts on Friday afternoon against Emporia State, but only 66 percent made it in the bucket as the Hornets spoiled the 'Roos season opener, 81-76.
The previous record was 52 free throw attempts against Tennessee State on January 8, 1990. The 'Roos (0-1) struggled to score in the game, hitting only 35.8 percent of its shots from the floor. They did out-rebound the Hornets 42-36 and force 20 miscues, but in the end ESU hit 10 more shots and tallied 42 points in the paint.
UMKC had the early lead in the outing, going up 21-14 in the first 10 minutes, and held a six points advantage with 5:24 left in the opening period, but the Hornets closed the stanza on a 16-5 rally to go into the break up by a 36-32 score.
The only difference in the period was a 9-3 margin in favor of the Hornets in second-chance points. Senior Trinity Hall and freshman Martez Harrison each tallied nine points to lead the 'Roos, while ESU was paced by Kaleb Wright with 11 points. Harrison did have his miscues though, making 5 of the 10 UMKC turnovers.
The 'Roos came out firing in the second half, and got the score tied at 42 on a bucket by Nelson Kirksey with 17:44 on the clock, but the Hornets answered with a 9-1 rally to get the lead back. UMKC kept it within striking distance, with the largest margin coming at 14 with 6:47 on the clock. Kansas City cut it to seven by the 3:25 mark on a Hall dunk, and chipped it down to three with 40 seconds left, but the Hornets' Paul Bunch got free under the bucket with 28 seconds remaining as they beat the UMKC press to virtually seal it.
Bunch had a huge half, scoring 15 points and pulling down five boards with four blocks. He answered every 'Roos run in the contest. ESU tallied 26 of its 45 second period points in the paint.
Kansas City was paced by Harrison with 20 points in his first college game, despite six turnovers and 12-of-21 shooting from the line, while Hall tallied his fourth career double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds. His rebound total matched a career best. Kirksey was the third 'Roo in double figures with 13 points.
As a team the 'Roos had 14 steals in the contest, but only had eight assists compared to 20 turnovers. The Hornets shot 46 percent in the contest, and went 18-of-23 from the line.
Kansas City will head to Creighton on Monday night for a 7:00 p.m. tipoff that will be nationally televised on Fox Sports 1. Fans are encouraged to head to Johnny's Tavern at the Power and Light District for the official watch party.
