Notes: Roos Open League Play at Denver

Wednesday, December 31

Denver, CO

3:00 PM

Kansas City

Denver

Photo by: Syd Siemens

12/29/2025 4:43:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Kansas City and Denver will tip off on Wednesday at 3 p.m. CT

WATCH | LIVE STATS

Kansas City Notes

Kansas City Men's Basketball closes out the 2025 calendar year at Denver, opening Summit League play on the road for the first time since the 2021-22 season. Since Head Coach Marvin Menzies took over in the '22-23 season, Kansas City holds a 3-0 record in conference-opening games.
The Roos took down McPherson to close out non-conference play, 91-78. Kansas City was led by Karmello Branch, leading KC's scoring efforts for the third-straight game with 21 points. Branch has reached double-digit scoring in each of the last four contests.
Jerome Palm went for his Summit League-leading third double-double of the season against the Bulldogs, finishing with 11 points and 12 rebounds. He also leads the Summit with an average of 7.8 rebounds per game and according to Sports Reference, he is one of just 55 players this season to average 1.5 or more assists per game while standing 6'10 or taller.
Jayson Petty increased his team-leading scoring average to 12.5 points per game with a 17-point effort against McPherson, going 5-of-6 from three-point range. He tied his career-high in three point makes and is the first Roo to make five-plus threes on over 80% three-point shooting since Cameron Faas on Nov. 18, 2024.
Kansas City made 26 free throws against the Bulldogs, just the 22nd time the Roos have reached that mark since the 2004-05 season.

Denver Notes

Denver enters Summit League play with a 7-8 record under first-year Head Coach Tim Bergstraser. The Pios have won four of their last six games.
Minnesota State - Moorhead transfer Carson Johnson leads the Pioneers in scoring, averaging 17.7 points per game. The sophomore guard has scored 20-plus points in five of the last seven games.
Denver shoots at a 38.6% clip from three-point range, the best mark in the Summit and 23rd-best in the nation.
The Roos hold an 11-6 advantage in the all-time series, but are 2-4 in games played at Denver.
KC won the last meeting, 64-56 on Feb. 27, 2025.