'Roos Set To Face Jags In Summit League Championship Opener
3/8/2013 11:14:00 AM | Women's Basketball
The Kansas City women's basketball team (9-20, 5-11) will enter the 2013 Summit League Championship as the No. 7 seed where they will take on No. 2 seed IUPUI (19-10, 12-4) in the quarterfinals on Saturday afternoon. The game between the Kangaroos and the Jaguars is slated for a 2:30 p.m. tip at the Sioux Falls Arena.
Opponent Preview
IUPUI enters the contest as the No. 2 seed with a 19-10 record overall and a 12-4 record in Summit League play, winning three straight and eight of their last nine. DeAirra Goss and Kerah Nelson lead the Jaguar offense at 12.3 ppg and 12.7 ppg, respectively, while Katie Comello is averaging 8.8 ppg. On the glass, Nelson tops the team at 6.3 rpg. As a team, the Jags are limiting opponents to just 25.2 percent from three-point range and out-rebounding them 39.7 to 34.2.
Series Records
The Jaguars lead the all-time series 16-14 after the 'Roos swept the Jags last season and IUPUI won both games this year. Last season, on Jan. 21, Kansas City won 63-55 at the SRC, before winning 58-56 in Indianapolis. On Jan. 24 of this year, IUPUI scored with 6.7 seconds left to take the 47-46 victory, while the Jaguars won 47-33 on Feb. 23.
Coaching Match up
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.
Hired on a one-year term four days prior to the start of practices for the 2010-11 season, Austin Parkinson improved the Jaguars win total from the previous year and more importantly changed the culture of the program in one year's time. For his efforts, IUPUI Director of Athletics announced on April 22, 2011 that Parkinson will continue to lead the women's basketball program as the head coach. A point guard during his playing days at Purdue under legendary head coach Gene Keady, Parkinson valued sharing the basketball and limiting turnovers. Inheriting a team that turned the ball over six more times than their opponents and averaged less than 10 assists per game in 2009-10, Parkinson helped the 2010-11 squad to dramatically improve its turnover margin and assists total.
Last Time Out
The Kansas City women's basketball team dropped its regular season finale 68-41 on Saturday afternoon to Omaha in Sapp Fieldhouse, despite eight points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals by junior Eilise O'Connor. The loss drops the 'Roos to 9-20 overall and 5-11 in Summit League play, while Omaha finishes 17-11 overall and 7-9 in the league.
Senior Emile Blakesley added team-highs of eight points and eight rebounds, while sophomore Lexis Hardiek chipped in eight points, including six on threes.
Tournament History
The Kangaroos enter the 2013 Summit League Women's Basketball Championship with a 7-17 record overall in the event. Twice the 'Roos have advanced to the championship game, first in 2005 when they defeated Valparaiso and Oakland before falling to Oral Roberts 48-42 in the final and again last season when the beat Oakland and Western Illinois before falling to South Dakota State 78-77 in overtime.
O'Connor on the First Team
Junior guard Eilise O'Connor was named to the All-Summit League First Team this season, becoming the second straight 'Roo to garner the honors after Dayon Hall-Jones claimed the honor last season. Overall, she is the ninth 'Roo to earn first team recognition. Last season she was named Honorable Mention All-League and to the All-Newcomer Team as a freshman.
Buckling Down on D
Over the first 15 games of the season, the 'Roos gave up an average of 70.4 ppg, while they allowed opponents to shoot 44.1% from the field and 41.6% from three-point range, only held two opponents under 60 points and went 4-15. In the last 14 games, however, Kansas City has allowed only 56.8 ppg, while teams have shot just 37.7% overall and 27.4% from three-point range, nine have been held under 60 points with a high of 68 scored and the went 5-9. Over the time frames, the 'Roos have cut down opponents rebounds from 40.7 rpg to 33.4 rpg.
Winning The Tight Ones
On the season, the 'Roos hold a 5-3 record in games decided by five points our less, picking up wins over North Dakota State, Western Illinois, South Dakota, LIU Brooklyn and Saint Louis.
Climbing the Scoring Charts
Junior guard Eilise O'Connor has scored 480 points this season, the ninth most in school history, and now has 1,123 in her career, placing her ninth all-time in school history. Her 12.3 ppg, meanwhile, are 10th best in school history.
Hitting 1,000
Eilise O'Connor recently passed the 1,000 point mark in school history, and is now the 11th player in school history to top 1,000 points.
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.
O'Connor at the Line
- Made 17-of-18 free throws vs. Fort Wayne on Jan. 19
• UMKC record for FT's in a game
• 94.4% ranks 19th in NCAA (best among 1 miss)
• Tied for most FT's in NCAA this season
- Ranks 1st in Summit League at 88.0%
- Ranks 13th in NCAA at 88.0%
- 176 FT's are UMKC single season record
- 176 FT's are 3rd most in Summit League history in a single season record
- 359 career FT's are the most in UMKC history
- 359 career FT's are 14th in Summit League history
'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. The he squad also 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 fourth in school history with 343. This season, she has recorded the 13th most assists in a game in the NCAA when she handed out 13 on Dec. 1 against Boise State. 21 times she has led the team and currently ranks fourth in The Summit League at 3.8.
Solid Starter
This season, one player as started all 29 games for the 'Roos: Emile Blakesley. To date, the senior leads the team in steals, while ranking second in assists and minutes played.
Going the Distance
On the season, junior point guard Eilise O'Connor has played all 40 minutes of the game in 17 contests, including 11 Summit League games, while senior Emile Blakesley has played all 40 minutes in five contests. Overall, O'Connor is averaging 37.8 minutes per game, third in the league and Blakesley is averaging 32.7 mpg, 10th in the league.
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.
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. She 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.
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.
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 62nd in the nation and second in The Summit League in blocked shots at 1.7 per game. Her 191 career blocks, meanwhile, rank second in school history and tied for 10th in league history, while her 50 blocks this season are tied for eighth in a season in school 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 third in 3-pt.% (40.6) and 10th in 3-pt FG made (1.4), while Eilise O'Connor is second in scoring (17.1), first in FT% (88.0), fourth in assists (3.8) and ninth in steals (1.6). Defensively, Ashli Hill ranks second in blocks (1.7) 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 191 and eighth with 50 blocks this season. Junior Eilise O'Connor, the final 'Roo, is first in free throws made (359), fourth in free throw percentage (.818), ninth in points (1,123), 10th in points per game (12.3) and fourth in assists (343) in her career. Her 176 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.
