Fourth Straight Win On The Line As Kangaroos Face Swedes
12/18/2015 9:20:00 AM | Women's Basketball
UMKC Kangaroos (3-6) vs. Bethany Swedes (4-9)
Date-Time: December 19, 2015 - 1 p.m.
Site: Kansas City, Mo./Municipal Auditorium
TV: KSMO
Talent: Neil Harwell (p-b-p), Jaycie Pearson (color)
Online Audio: UMKCKangaroos.com
Talent: TJ Jackson (p-b-p)
Webcast: RoosTV
Talent: Talent: Neil Harwell (p-b-p), Jaycie Pearson (color)
Live Stats: UMKCKangaroos.com
Twitter: @UMKCWBB @TheUMKCRoos
Hashtags: #RooUp #WACHoops
Series: First Meeting
Home: 0-0
Away: 0-0
Neutral: 0-0
Last Meeting: First Meeting
The Game
UMKC women's basketball closes out its 2015 home slate when it welcomes in Bethany College to Kansas City on Dec. 19. The game between the 'Roos and the Swedes is slated for a 1 p.m. tip-off at Municipal Auditorium as part of a doubleheader with the men.
The Opponent
Bethany (4-8)
PPG: 64.2
PPG Allowed: 65.5
Leading Scorer: Adriane Davis - 16.4
Leading Rebounder: Joleen Chanco - 6.7
Assists Leader: Adriane Davis - 3.1
The Series
Bethany (0-0)
First Meeting
Last Time Out
UMKC women's basketball picked up its third straight victory on Saturday afternoon after knocking-off Denver 68-58 at Municipal Auditorium behind 21 points from Aries Washington and a career-high 13 from Sierra Bone.
Washington finished the day 7-of-13 shooting from the field and 7-of-8 from the line, while adding a season-high six assists and three rebounds. Bone knocked down a career-high 4-of-6 from beyond the arc to go along with three rebounds and an assist. Kiana Law, meanwhile, narrowly missed her second consecutive double-double, posting 16 points, nine rebounds a block and an assist.
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.
Brett Morehouse enters his third season as head women's basketball coach for Bethany College. Prior to his time at Bethany, Morehouse served as the assistant men's basketball coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of Montana-Western for two years. In his first season with the squad, the UM-Western team posted a 25-10 overall record, tied for the Frontier Conference regular-season title, and advanced to the round of sixteen at the NAIA Men's Division I National Tournament in Kansas City, Mo. During Morehouse's second year, team went 24-10 and advanced to the Elite 8 quarterfinals of the NAIA Men's Division I National Tournament.
Up Next...
The 'Roos kick-off a five game road trip when they head to Evanston, Ill., to take on Northwestern on Dec. 22 at 1 p.m. when they look to win their second straight road game against a Power 5 school.
A Win Would...
• Give the 'Roos four straight wins for the first time since they won seven straight from 2/13-3/5/12.
• Be the first back-toback wins at Municipal Auditorium since 1/11/14 against Chicago State and 1/8/11 vs. Southern Utah.
• Even their home record at 3-3.
Law Named Player Of The Week
Kiana Law, a sophomore forward from Pittsburgh (Central Valley HS) had a career week for the Kangaroos as UMKC earned wins on the road at Kansas and at home against Denver. Against the Jayhawks, Law scored a career-high 20 points with a season-high 10 rebounds for her first double-double of the year as the 'Ross stunned KU for just the fourth win in program history against the Big 12 program. She followed that up with a career-high four steals to go with 16 points and nine rebounds in a 68-58 win over Denver. Law also was named WAC Player of the Week by College Sports Madness.
'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 nine 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 three games, both wins for the 'Roos, UMKC has turned up the defensive pressure, holding each team to under 60 points and two under 50. Combined, UMKC is allowing 49.3 ppg, 34.8 FG% and 29.4 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 (.399) and defensive (.689) rebound percent. Their 30.4 rebounds allowed per game, meanwhile, is tops in the WAC by nearly nine a game, while their +5.1 rebound margin is the best in the conference by over 4.0 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 two free throws this season, as the Kansas City native has connected on 23-of-25 from the charity stripe. Her 92.1% is first in the WAC and the sixth best mark in the NCAA.
