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O'Connor Returns Home To Lead 'Roos Against Dons
12/17/2013 9:07:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Site: San Francisco, Calif./War Memorial
Television: none
Live Online Video: USFDons.com (Free)
Radio: 102.9 FM – TJ Jackson (p-b-p)
Live Online Audio: KCXL.com (Free) – TJ Jackson (p-b-p)
Live Stats: USFDons.com (Free)
Twitter: @TheUMKCKangaroos
The Game
The Kansas City women's basketball team (3-7) will look for its fourth win in its last five games when it heads to senior Eilise O'Connor's hometown to take on San Francisco (4-5) on Dec. 18. The game between the 'Roos and the Dons is slated for 9 p.m. CT tip-off at War Memorial.
The Opponent
San Francisco enters the contest with a 4-5 record, picking up its latest wins over UNLV and Boise State, while falling to fellow WAC foe Bakersfield. Rachel Howard leads a trio of Dons in double figures at 14.3 ppg, while Zhane Dikes (12.2) and Taj Winston (11.7) are also in double figures. On the glass, Taylor Proctor and Claudia Price are each grabbing 6.7 rebounds. As a team, USF is limiting opponents to 39.6 percent shooting from the field, while hitting 32.0 percent of their three-point attempts.
The Series
This will be the second all-time meeting between the 'Roos and the Dons with USF leading 1-0 after winning 78-66 on Nov. 23, 2007.
San Francisco
Series: USF leads 1-0
Home: 0-0
Away: 0-1
Neutral: 0-0
Last Meeting: San Francisco won 78-66 on Nov. 23, 2007 in San Francisco.
San Francisco (0-1)
N23, 2007 (A) L, 66-78 Whitaker
The Coaches
Renowned for her top-notch recruiting classes, Marsha Frese enters her second season as head women's basketball coach at UMKC. Named as the Kangaroo head coach on April 25, 2012, Frese brings 16 seasons of experience as a Division-I player and coach to the UMKC campus.
Jennifer Azzi is no stranger to success in her storied playing career, with achievements ranging from seven hall of fame inductions to international medals. Individual and team success can be seen in most valuable player awards and national championships. Now, at the helm of the Dons, Azzi has moved from the on-court leader to the sidelines , transferring her knowledge of the game to the women wearing Green and Gold. Entering her fourth year on the Hilltop in 2013-14, successes are being seen throughout the San Francisco women's basketball program. In Azzi's third year at the helm of the program, the Dons notched their largest win total since 2007-08.
The Venue
Home to San Francisco's only Division I basketball team, War Memorial has been the scene of many USF championship efforts. The gym serves as home court for women's volleyball and basketball, the Athletic Department offices, and athletic training rooms. Built in 1958, the gym is a tribute to the USF alumni who died during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
Last Time Out
The Kansas City women's basketball team surrendered a 12 point second half lead, but held on to take an 80-79 overtime win against Texas Southern behind 15 points and a career-high 17 rebounds from senior forward Kim Nezianya on Sunday afternoon at the Swinney Recreation Center.
Freshman Calli White led the 'Roos (3-7) offensive attack with a career-high 26 points, including hitting 6-of-7 from beyond the arc, and four assists, while senior Eilise O'Connor finished with 16 points, six assists and four rebounds before fouling out with 1:11 left in regulation.
As a team, the 'Roos shot 42.9 percent (9-21) from three-point range, while limiting the Tigers to just 17.9 percent (5-28) from beyond the arc.
Heading Home
This road trip, the 'Roos will be heading to the Bay area to take on San Francisco and San Jose State, giving senior and San Francisco native Eilise O'Connor an opportunity to play in front of her family and friends.
Nearing 1,000
After scoring 15 points in the 'Roos win over Texas Southern, senior forward Kim Nezianya sits at 992 points, just eight points shy of joining teammate Eilise O'Connor as one of just the 12 1,000-point scorers in UMKC history. If Nezianya reaches the milestone, the senior duo will become the first pair in school history in the Division I era and just the second pair ever to have 1,000 points at the same time, joining Penny Waggener and Laurie Smith who each reached the mark in the 1984-85 season.
Evans' Block Party
This season, Jordan Evans had led the charge for Kansas City on defense down low, as the sophomore has finished atop the stat sheet five times for the 'Roos. In the win over Texas Southern, Evans swatted a career-high four shots and now ranks fourth in the WAC at 1.0 bpg.
Team Turnaround
After starting the season 0-6, the 'Roos have won three of their last four after cutting opponents scoring average from 80.7 ppg to 73.8 ppg.
