Kangaroos Go For Three Straight In Play 4Kay Pink Out Game
2/14/2014 4:54:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Site: Kansas City, Mo./Swinney Recreation Center
Television: none
Live Online Video: UMKCKangaroos.com
Radio: 1510 FM – - TJ Jackson (p-b-p), Steven St. John (color)
Live Online Audio: 1510.com (Free) - TJ Jackson (p-b-p), Steven St. John (color)
Twitter: @TheUMKCKangaroos
The Game
The Kansas City women's basketball team (9-14, 5-5) looks for its third straight win as it hosts WAC foe Texas - Pan American (12-12, 6-5) on Saturday. Tip between the 'Roos and the Broncs is slated for 2 p.m. at the Swinney Recreation Center.
The Opponent
Texas - Pan American enters the contest with a 12-12 record overall and a 6-5 mark in WAC play after knocking off Chicago State on Thursday. Shawnte' Goff is the only Bronc averaging double figures at 12.7 ppg, while Brittany Bush is adding 8.5 ppg and 8.0 rpg. KaeLynn Boyd, meanwhile, is chipping in 9.2 ppg and Jasmine Thompson is averaging 9.1 ppg.
The Series
This will be the fourth meeting between the 'Roos and the Broncs with UMKC leading 2-1. UTPA won the first game this year, 65-60 on Jan. 16.
First Meeting
Seniors Kim Nezianya and Eilise O'Connor combined for 38 of the 'Roos 50 points, with each netting 19, as the Kansas City women's basketball team (6-11, 2-2) fell 65-50 on Thursday night to Texas – Pan American (8-9, 2-2) at the UTPA Fieldhouse.
Nezianya matched her career-high with 17 of the UMKC's 44 rebounds, while Grace Mitchell grabbed seven and O'Connor, Hailey Houser and Taylor Leathers each nabbed four. Offensively, Calli White (5), Leathers (5) and Mitchell (2) were the only other 'Roos to score, while on the defensive end, Kansas City limited the Broncs to 36.8 percent shooting from the field, including 25.0 percent from beyond the arc.
Texas - Pan American
Series: Kansas City leads 2-1.
Home: 0-0
Away: 1-1
Neutral: 1-0
Last Meeting: UTPA won 65-50 on Jan. 16 In Edinburg.
Texas - Pan American (2-1)
D1, 1989 (N) W, 50-35 Agler
J30, 1990 (A) W, 46-42 Agler
J16, 2014 (A) L, 50-65 Frese
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.
On April 4, 2013 that Larry Tidwell, who had been the head coach at Lamar for the last six seasons, was named the new Broncs women's basketball head coach. Tidwell took over a Lamar team that hadn't had a winning record since 1994-95 and recorded a winning record every year, including four seasons of 20 or more wins and five seasons of 19 or more wins. He has reached double-figures in conference wins five times, always finishing at least .500.
Last Time Out
Kim Nezianya scored a career-high 38 points and grabbed a career-high 21 rebounds, while breaking the UMKC record for rebounds in a career, leading the Kansas City women's basketball team (9-14, 5-5) to a 92-84 WAC win over New Mexico State (8-16, 5-6) on Thursday night at the Swinney Recreation Center.
The 38 points are fifth most in school history and the most in the WAC this season, while the 21 rebounds are just two shy of the school record and tied for the most in the WAC this season.
Senior Eilise O'Connor, who was battling flu-like symptoms, added 17 points, including the go-ahead basket with 1:11 on the clock, and four assists, while sophomore Taylor Leathers narrowly missed a double-double, finishing with 13 points, shooting a perfect 6-of-6 from the field, and nine rebounds. As a team, the 'Roos shot 55.1 percent from the field and 86.7 percent from the line leading to the season-high of 92 points, while out-rebounding NMSU 49-26.
Play 4Kay Pink Out
The Kansas City women's basketball team will host its Play 4Kay Pink Out game donning their pink uniforms. All Girl Scouts who attend will receive a patch commemorating the event, while at the door, fans who wear pink will be offered tickets for $5, while the first 150 fans will be given pink water bottles. The fan wearing the best pink outfit, meanwhile, will be awarded a UMKC prize pack. At the conclusion of the contest, the 'Roos will host an autograph session with schedule posters provided, followed by a free hour long clinic for any youth wishing to attend.
Kim's Big Night
In the home game against New Mexico State, senior Kim Nezianya went off on the Aggies, finishing with career-highs of 38 points and 21 rebounds. Both totals stand as a WAC season-high, while the 38 points are the fifth most in school history and the 21 rebounds are two back for the most. In the same game, the Carrollton, Texas native grabbed 13 rebounds in the first half, a new school record, while also breaking the UMKC career rebound record.
Record Breaking Night
On Feb. 13 against New Mexico State, the 'Roos broke several records. Kim Nezianya set the record for rebounds in a half with 13, while breaking the career rebound mark of 854. Eilise O'Connor, meanwhile, broke her own record for free throws in a season, hitting her 181st in the contest.
Second Half Vs. Aggies
This season, the 'Roos have had their two most prolific scoring halves of the season in both second halves against New Mexico State. In the first game, UMKC scored 55 in the second against NMSU, while dropping 58 in game two.
