Kansas City
Indiana State
Second Half Rally By Sycamores Sinks 'Roos, 74-63
12/14/2013 6:02:00 PM | Men's Basketball
(Kansas City, Mo.) - The UMKC men's basketball squad took a lead into the halftime break against Indiana State on Saturday, but an early second period run proved to be the difference in a 74-63 road win for the Sycamores at Municipal Auditorium.
“I thought that the way they started off in the second half really hurt us,” Head Coach Kareem Richardson said. “I like the way we battled back in the first half, but we have to put together playing that hard in longer stretches.”
The Sycamores (7-2) jumped out to a 13-4 lead in the opening eight minutes, but Kansas City (2-7) rallied quickly, going on a 10-2 run in less than two minutes to get within one. Indiana State held on to the lead until the 6:22 mark though, when UMKC freshman Martez Harrison hit the 'Roos only three of the half to get their first advantage of the game, 23-22.
The 'Roos pushed their lead to as many as five on three different occasions down the stretch, and took a 36-34 advantage into the break. Harrison was the star, scoring 14 points, while senior Trinity Hall tallied 10 points for UMKC in the half. Both teams shot 40 percent, but UMKC got to the line four more times, and had a 23-18 advantage on the boards.
The game-changing rally was in the early part of the second stanza starting at the 17:46 mark. It turned into a 17-2 run for the Sycamores and it stretched their lead to 55-42 with 12:29 to play. They took advantage of some lackluster defense by the 'Roos, hitting 8 of its first 10 shots.
The Kangaroos could only get within eight after that, as ISU kept them at arm's reach the rest of the way. The Sycamores shot 57 percent in the half, while UMKC could only muster 28 percent shooting, and an 11-of-21 performance from the line. As a result, ISU out-rebounded the 'Roos 22-9 in the half.
The Sycamores were led by Kansas City native Dawon Cummings, who scored 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting. Justin Gant had 13 points, while Demetrius Moore tallied 10. Both pulled down seven boards as well.
Harrison led the 'Roos with 20 points, his ninth straight game in double digits and fourth 20-plus point contest. Hall finished with 16 points, while Nelson Kirksey was the other player in double figures with 11. Fred Chatmon led the way with eight rebounds.
Kansas City finishes a three-game home stand on Wednesday night when Miami University (Ohio) comes to town. Tip-off is set for 7:05 p.m. from Municipal Auditorium.
