Saturday, February 1
Chicago, Ill.
12:00 PM
Kansas City
12-11,4-4WAC
69
at
51
Chicago State
4-19,0-8WAC
1
2
F
Kansas City
41
28
69
Chicago St.
24
27
51
Roos Rout Chicago State Fueled by Whitfield's Hot Hand
2/1/2020 1:51:00 PM | Men's Basketball
CHICAGO, Ill. - Kansas City Men's Basketball picked up its fourth conference win today at Chicago State, moving up to an even .500 in Western Athletic Conference play this season and back to an overall winning record (12-11, 4-4). With eight games remaining, the Roos under first-year head coach Billy Donlon have already surpassed last years win total. The shooting efficiency shined today for Kansas City in a 69-51 dominating win over Chicago State (4-19, 0-8), stretching the win streak to three games.
"Our team approached this game the right way and the start showed that," said head coach Billy Donlon. "We have to have a growth mindset all season long. Our guys handled the game adversity which is a positive sign moving forward."
The Roos shot the ball today at a 45.7 percent clip from the field and 53.3 percent clip from three. Rob Whitfield came out firing, going 3-3 from deep in the first ten minutes of play. Whitfield eventually finished with a game high 21 points, going 5-9 from three. Another senior, Jordan Giles, finished behind Whitfield with 12 points.
Coming off a dominating 99-41 win over Crowley's Ridge on Monday, the Roos entered today with confidence and it showed. Kansas City led wire-to-wire, jumping out to a 15-0 start to the game and never letting the game get to within less than ten. It was a game of pure domination on both ends of the ball, as the smothering defense of the Roos held Chicago State to its lowest point total in conference play this season. The Roos, who rank second in the WAC in steals per game with 8.3, racked up 12 today in the win. Whitfield and Kamgain snatched three a-piece, while Williams and Allick nabbed two a-piece.
Josiah Allick and Franck Kamgain have been instrumental for the Roos the past couple weeks. Since both were entered into the starting five last week at California Baptist, the two have produced, especially on the defensive end. The last three games (at California Baptist, vs. Crowley's Ridge, and today at Chicago State), the Roos have held its opponent to sub-60 points.
The first half was the Rob Whitfield show. He totaled 19 points in the half, shooting 5-6 from deep. His five three pointers in a half was one shy of trying a school record for the most triples in a half. He had the Roos firing on all cylinders and cruising to the locker room with a 17 point lead 41-24. The second half turned into a scoring by committee effort, with Giles and Allick both hitting double digits in the scoring column.
Next Up
Today's game concluded the first go-round through the conference. Kansas City will look to avenge their loss to UTRGV earlier in the season, this time as the hosts on Thursday, Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. CT. Click HERE to purchase tickets
Game Notes:
"Our team approached this game the right way and the start showed that," said head coach Billy Donlon. "We have to have a growth mindset all season long. Our guys handled the game adversity which is a positive sign moving forward."
The Roos shot the ball today at a 45.7 percent clip from the field and 53.3 percent clip from three. Rob Whitfield came out firing, going 3-3 from deep in the first ten minutes of play. Whitfield eventually finished with a game high 21 points, going 5-9 from three. Another senior, Jordan Giles, finished behind Whitfield with 12 points.
Largest lead this afternoon and it comes courtesy of the hot hand of Whitfield ??
— Kansas City Men's Basketball (@KCRoosMBB) February 1, 2020
4??triples already for the senior #ROOUP | #KCRoos | #DeclareKC | #KCcommitted pic.twitter.com/767dFjjE9K
Coming off a dominating 99-41 win over Crowley's Ridge on Monday, the Roos entered today with confidence and it showed. Kansas City led wire-to-wire, jumping out to a 15-0 start to the game and never letting the game get to within less than ten. It was a game of pure domination on both ends of the ball, as the smothering defense of the Roos held Chicago State to its lowest point total in conference play this season. The Roos, who rank second in the WAC in steals per game with 8.3, racked up 12 today in the win. Whitfield and Kamgain snatched three a-piece, while Williams and Allick nabbed two a-piece.
Josiah Allick and Franck Kamgain have been instrumental for the Roos the past couple weeks. Since both were entered into the starting five last week at California Baptist, the two have produced, especially on the defensive end. The last three games (at California Baptist, vs. Crowley's Ridge, and today at Chicago State), the Roos have held its opponent to sub-60 points.
The hoop is still shaking from this punishing slam from the freshman Allick ????#ROOUP | #KCRoos | #DeclareKC | #KCcommitted pic.twitter.com/gowuUACII8
— Kansas City Men's Basketball (@KCRoosMBB) February 1, 2020
The first half was the Rob Whitfield show. He totaled 19 points in the half, shooting 5-6 from deep. His five three pointers in a half was one shy of trying a school record for the most triples in a half. He had the Roos firing on all cylinders and cruising to the locker room with a 17 point lead 41-24. The second half turned into a scoring by committee effort, with Giles and Allick both hitting double digits in the scoring column.
Next Up
Today's game concluded the first go-round through the conference. Kansas City will look to avenge their loss to UTRGV earlier in the season, this time as the hosts on Thursday, Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. CT. Click HERE to purchase tickets
Game Notes:
- Josiah Allick is now averaging 10.7 points in his last five games, up from his 5.7 season average.
- Rob Whitfield's 21 points today marks the second time he's hit the 20 mark this season. (Last time, early in the season Nov. 23 at the Island of the Bahamas Classic, with a career high 29). He now ranks second in the WAC in three pointers made and third in the WAC in three point percentage (41.7)
- Kansas City held a +2 rebounding advantage today. In the past three games, the Roos have broke a trend this season in being out-rebounded and the results are wins.
- The Roos never trailed today, which now marks two straight games that they have led from start to finish.
Team Stats
KC
CSU
FG%
.457
.395
3FG%
.533
.133
FT%
.826
.731
RB
27
25
TO
13
19
STL
12
8
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
21
FGM
8
3FGM
5
FTM
0
Pts
12
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
8
Pts
10
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballMBB Highlights vs. #1 Omaha
Thursday, March 06
MBB Highlights vs. #9 Oral Roberts
Wednesday, March 05
MBB Highlights @ St. Thomas
Saturday, March 01
Postgame Interview: Coach Menzies post-St. Thomas
Saturday, March 01