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UMKC Closes Out Non-Conference Slate At North Florida
1/5/2015 9:36:00 PM | Women's Basketball
ON THE AIR AND ON THE WEB
Date-Time: January 6, 2015 - 3:30 p.m. CT
Site: Jacksonville, Fla./UNF Arena
TV: none
Radio: 102.9 FM/1140 AM
Online Audio: KCXL.com
Talent: T.J. Jackson (p-b-p)
Live Stats: UNFOspreys.com
Webcast: none
Twitter: @UMKCWBB @TheUMKCRoos
Hashtags: #RooUp #WACHoops
Series: UMKC leads 1-0
Home: 1-0
Away: 0-1
Neutral: 0-0
Last Meeting: UMKC won 100-63 on Nov. 22, 2011 in Kansas City.
The Game
The Missouri-Kansas City women's basketball team (2-12) will close out non-conference play when it heads to Jacksonville, Fla., to take on North Florida (8-6) on Jan. 6. Tip between the 'Roos and the Ospreys is slated for 3:30 p.m. CT at UNF Arena.
The Opponent
North Florida (8-6)
PPG: 57.0
PPG Allowed: 59.4
Leading Scorer: Destinee Smith - 14.1
Leading Rebounder: Paulina Zaveckaite - 10.7
Assists Leader: Brittney Wright - 2.9
The Series
North Florida (1-0)
N22, 2011 (H) W, 100-63 Whitaker
Last Time Out
The Missouri-Kansas City women's basketball team fell in its opening game of 2015, 81-38 to UC Riverside on Saturday afternoon at the Student Recreation Center. The loss drops UMKC to 2-12 on the season, while UC Riverside improves to 9-5 this year.
Calli White lead the 'Roos with a season-high 20 points on 6-of-12 shooting from the field, including 2-of-5 from three-point range, and a perfect 6-of-6 at the line, while Lexis Hardiek also notched a season-high, scoring eight points on 3-of-6 shooting, including 2-of-3 from long range. Grace Mitchell added four points and team-high's of six rebounds and two assists, while from three-point range, UMKC limited the Highlanders to just 26.1 percent shooting and hit 33.3 percent of their own attempts.
The Coaches
Renowned for her top-notch recruiting classes, Marsha Frese enters her third 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.
Since the start of the North Florida women's basketball team in 1991, only one person has been at the helm of the Ospreys' program, Mary Tappmeyer. Entering her 23rd year at UNF and her 30th as a head coach, Tappmeyer has 397 career wins, including 302 with the Ospreys. Her 200th UNF win and 300th career victory came during the 2004-05 season -- the Ospreys' final Division II season -- and left the Division II ranks among the top 40 in total wins.
Up Next...
The 'Roos return to Kansas City where they will open up WAC play against New Mexico State on Jan. 10 at 2 p.m. in the Swinney Recreation Center.
A Win Would...
• Snap the 'Roos nine game losing streak
• Make the 'Roos 2-0 all-time against North Florida
• Close out the non-conference slate with a win
Last Time Against Ospreys
The 'Roos lone meeting against North Florida came in the 2011-12 season when the 'Roos won in dominating fashion, 100-63, the last time the 'Roos scored 100 in a game. In the game, 'Roo senior Lexis Hardiek played five minutes in just her third career game.
UNF Tourney
Last time the 'Roos made the trip to Jacksonville, the 'Roos took part in the Lady Osprey Holiday Tournament, where they finished 2-0. UMKC avoided the host Ospreys, but defeated Bethune-Cookman and Troy, with Eilise O'Connor taking MVP honors.
Defensive Improvement
This season, the 'Roos have stepped up on the defensive end, as UMKC is allowing 8.1 less points per game (67.3 to 75.4) compared to last season. At the three-point line, meanwhile, the 'Roos are limiting teams to just 29.2 percent shooting, second best in the WAC.
On The Glass
The 'Roos are currently limiting teams to just 36.4 rebounds per game, the fewest amount in the WAC.
White From Deep
Calli White has continued to be a top threat from long range as the sophomore has knocked down 25 threes this season, giving her 98 in her career, tied for the eighth most in UMKC history. Her 35.9 percent clip, meanwhile, is ninth best.
Conference Leaders
Calli White currently is tops in the league in free throw percentage (88.9%) and ranks fifth in the WAC in scoring (12.4) and eighth in assists (2.8), while Kiana Law is 10th in rebounding (5.7) and sixth in field goal percentage (46.3%), Samantha Waldron is fifth in three-point field goal percentage (38.1%), Paige Husa is eighth in blocks (0.86) and Aries Washington is ninth in field goal percentage (44.7%).
Iron Women
Calli White and Samantha Waldron have been staples in the UMKC lineup this season as the duo is each topping the 30 minutes per game mark. White leads the WAC at 36.21 mpg, while Waldron is eighth at 30.79 mpg.
Knocking 'Em Down
Calli White has lit it up from the free throw line, as the sophomore has made 40 of her 45 attempts this season good for a WAC best 88.9 percent mark. Currently, the percentage stands as the 25th best number in the NCAA and would be tied for the third best in UMKC history in a season.
40 Minute Beast
Kiana Law is averaging 8.0 points and 5.7 rebounds, but playing just 16.2 minutes, as the freshman is adjusting to collegiate defense. If her stats were pro-rated to 40 minutes, however, she would be on a pace to average 19.7 points and 14.1 rebounds per contest.
Freshmen Contributions
This season, the 'Roos regular rotation has featured six freshmen, with the group averaging 33.7 points (62.8%), 21.1 rebounds (61.2%) and 4.9 assists (45.2%). The players make up five of the top six scorers on the team.
Overall, the 'Roos second in the NCAA in minutes per game per player by freshmen at 24.6 and third in average minutes per game played by freshmen at 110.7.
