Kansas City
Tennessee Tech
Slow Start Costs UMKC in 81-60 Loss to Tennesse Tech Monday
12/22/2014 10:45:00 PM | Men's Basketball
(Kansas City, Mo.) - Tennessee Tech took it to UMKC in the first half, and held the 'Roos off in the finals stanza for an 81-60 victory on Monday night at Municipal Auditorium. UMKC shot only 35 percent, while the guests hit 59 percent on the night.
It was a bad combination to start, as the Golden Eagles (7-5) were on fire in the opening half, while UMKC (4-9) was dreadful on offense. TTU had a 9-0 lead at the 13:23 mark, and it would lead by at least that many the rest of the half.
The 'Roos cut a 14-point lead down to nine with 9:17 on the clock, but Tennessee Tech answered with a run of their own, getting the margin up to as many as 23 on an ally-oop dunk in transition with 1:07 to play. The 'Roos went into the break trailing 45-24.
UMKC shot only 29 percent in the period, and committed seven turnovers, while TTU hit 61 percent, and had a 20-11 rebound edge. The 'Roos had to get around some foul trouble at the point guard position, as sophomore Martez Harrison and freshman Noah Knight each picked up two.
Both Harrison and Knight picked it up for the 'Roos in the second half, but the 'Roos couldn't slow the TTU offense down enough to get it close. The tightest UMKC could get it down to was 15 points with 8:42 left. The 'Roos forced 19 turnovers, but could only get 11 points off them.
UMKC shot 39 percent in the second half, but the Golden Eagles didn't cool down, hitting 57 percent. The 'Roos didn't shoot well from distance either, getting their first three with 10:30 left by Knight.
The 3-of-21 performance from three was the fewest made in a game this season for UMKC, as well as the 14 percent clip. UMKC also shot 58.6 percent from the free throw line, making them 0-4 when shooting lower than 60 percent.
Knight set a career-high for the second straight game with 12 points. Harrison finished with 16 points, but shot only 4-of-16 from the floor. Tennessee Tech had five players in double figures.
UMKC will hit the road for its next three games, starting on Sunday at Indiana State for a 1:05 p.m. tipoff.
