Kansas City
Iowa
Hawkeyes Get Past Kangaroos on Saturday
12/5/2015 5:03:00 PM | Men's Basketball
(Iowa City, Iowa) - The UMKC men's basketball squad had its moments on Saturday afternoon against Iowa, but in the end the Hawkeyes were too efficient, hitting 12 threes and taking a 95-75 victory.
“It's really hard to simulate how effective they are, and how fast they push the ball in transition in order for our guys to prepare, but, it's even more impressive seeing them (Iowa) play in person,” Head Coach Kareem Richardson said. “That might have been one of the best passing teams I have seen since I have been in the college game. They played so unselfishly, assisted 22 of their 34 field goals, with only six turnovers.”
The passing was on display in the first half as the Hawkeyes (6-2) jumped out to a 7-0 lead to start the game, as their defense bothered the 'Roos (5-3). UMKC calmed down though, and used rebounds to get back into it, scoring on put-backs in back-to-back possessions, before a three by Martez Harrison and another put-back by Dashawn King tied the contest at 11 with 13:52 on the clock.
The Roos couldn't get in front though, and Iowa went on a 10-0 run to take the lead for good, making it 23-13 with 9:04 left. The 'Roos kept it within striking distance though, and trailed by seven with 4:50 to play in the half, but the Hawkeyes closed the half on a 13-6 run to take a 45-31 lead at the half.
UMKC's issue proved to be turnovers in the half, as Iowa had a 12-4 advantage in points off them in the half. The Hawkeyes also scored 15 second chance points thanks to 12 offensive rebounds.
The Kangaroos played right with the Hawkeyes in the first 10 minutes of the second half, actually out-scoring them 14-13, but that is the closest it would be the rest of the night at 13 points. Iowa went on an 11-0 run to seal it, taking the margin up to as many as 28 points before the clock ran out. They shot 51 percent in the second half.
UMKC shot 47 percent in the second stanza, but Iowa out-scored them by six in the final half. The 'Roos also only turned it over four times in the final stanza, but the 12 three-pointers and 22-6 assist-to-turnover ratio for the Hawkeyes was too much to overcome.
Harrison led the 'Roos with 15 points and four assists, while LaVell Boyd scored all 13 of his points in the second half. King also tallied 12 points and pulled down six boards, along with three steals. Iowa had five players in double figures.
The Roos will face South Dakota on Tuesday night on the road at 7 p.m. The Coyotes are coming in off an upset of Minnesota Saturday.
