?Roos Aim For Three Straight In Doubleheader Opener at Muni
12/11/2015 12:18:00 PM | Women's Basketball
UMKC Kangaroos (2-6) vs. Denver Pioneers (1-7)
Date-Time: December 12, 2015 - 1 p.m.
Site: Kansas City, Mo./Municipal Auditorium
TV: nonw
Online Audio: UMKCKangaroos.com
Talent: TJ Jackson (p-b-p)
Webcast: WDN
Talent: TJ Jackson (p-b-p)
Live Stats: UMKCKangaroos.com
Twitter: @UMKCWBB @TheUMKCRoos
Hashtags: #RooUp #WACHoops
Series: Denver leads 2-1
Home: 1-0
Away: 0-2
Neutral: 0-0
Last Meeting: DU won 74-66 on 12/6/14 in Denver.
The Game
UMKC women's basketball will look to wins its third straight and avenge its loss a season ago when it welcomes in Denver to Kansas City on Sat., Dec. 12 for a 1 p.m. contest at Municipal Auditorium in the first game of a doubleheader with the men's squad.
The Opponent
Denver (1-7)
PPG: 54.6
PPG Allowed: 64.9
Leading Scorer: Samantha Romanowski - 12.8
Leading Rebounder: Jesse Spittel - 6.6
Assists Leader: Paige Bradley - 4.6
The Series
Denver (1-2)
J23, 1999 (A) L, 38-62 Tadtman
F8, 1999 (H) W, 63-58 Tadtman
D6, 2014 (A) L, 66-74 Frese
Last Time Out
For the fourth time in school history and the first time since Dec. 21, 2002 UMKC women's basketball upset Kansas after taking down the Jayhawks 47-44 on Thursday night at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kan. For the 'Roos, it is their first win on the road over a power five conference school since knocking off Iowa State 55-53 in Ames on Jan. 12, 1992 and their first win in Lawrence since Jan. 10, 1989 when they won 45-44.
Kiana Law led the 'Roos in her best game of the year, as the sophomore finished with team and season-high's of 20 points and 10 rebounds for her first double-double of the season and the sixth of her career. Samantha Waldron added 13 points, four rebounds, a block and an assist for the 'Roos, while Taylor Leathers grabbed seven of Kansas City's 40 rebounds. Kristen Moore, meanwhile, chipped in seven points and three rebounds and Bone tallied a team-best four assists.
The Coaches
Nationally known for her top-notch recruiting classes, Marsha Frese enters her fourth season as head women's basketball coach at UMKC. During her first three seasons in Kansas City, Frese began to establish her vision for a championship culture while guiding the 'Roos toward excellence, both on the court and in the classroom. Under Frese's guidance, the 'Roos have established a standard of excellence for classroom performance as UMKC earned top honors in back-to-back years with the highest team GPA in all of Division-I women's college basketball for both the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons.
Kerry Cremeans enters her fourth season as head coach of the University of Denver women's basketball program for the upcoming 2015-16 season. Cremeans has compiled a 31-63 record at DU, including a runner-up finish at the Summit League Championships in 2013-14.
Up Next...
The Blue & Gold will wrap-up their non-conference home slate when they continue their two game homestand at Municipal Auditorium on Sat., Dec. 19 against Bethany in a doubleheader with the men at 1 p.m.
A Win Would...
• Give the 'Roos three straight wins for the first time since 2/8-15/14.
• Be the first at Municipal Auditorium since 1/11/14 against Chicago State.
• Even the series with the Pioneers.
'Roos Upset Jayhawks!
- Fourth All-Time win vs. KU
- First win vs. KU since 11/21/03
- First win at KU since 1/10/89
- First win at Power 5 school since 1/12/92 at ISU
- 18th all-time win against Power 5 schools.
- Kiana Law scored career-high 20 points, grabbed a season-high 10 rebounds for first double-double of the season and 6th of career.
- Held KU to 2 points and 1-of-18 (5.6%) shooting in the first quarter.
- Tied for the fewest point UMKC ever allowed to KU.
Balanced Attack
Through eight games, the 'Roos have had five different leading scorers with only Aries Washington leading the team multiple times. Kiana Law, Ceidra Coleman, Daijane Dillard and Kristen Moore are the other four to pace the team.
Dominating On The Defensive End
In the past two games, both wins for the 'Roos, UMKC has turned up the defensive pressure, holding each team to under 50 points. Combined, UMKC is allowing 45.0 ppg, 33.0 FG% and 27.3 3-pt. FG%.
'Roos On The Glass
Early in the season, the 'Roos have been impressive rebounding as they lead the WAC in both offensive (.394) and defensive (.687) rebound percent. Their 30.8 rebounds allowed per game, meanwhile, is tops in the WAC by nearly nine a game, while their +4.2 rebound margin is the best in the conference by over 3.1 per game.
Washington's Double-Double
Against Stephens College, Aries Washington notched the 'Roos first double-double of the season and the first of her career when she scored 23 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. The 23 points are the second most in her career, while the 11 rebounds are a new career-high. Washington joins Grace Mitchell (8), Kiana Law (6) and Taylor Leathers (2) as the only four 'Roos to record double-doubles in their careers.
Towing The Line
Aries Washington has only missed one free throw this season, as the Kansas City native has connected on 16-of-17 from the charity stripe. Her 94.1% is first in the WAC.
