Kansas Returns to Action Versus UMKC Saturday

Dec. 15, 2011

Game Notes in PDF Format

LAWRENCE, Kan. – With more than a week since its last contest, the University of Kansas women’s basketball team is back in action to host UMKC on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. The Jayhawks are 8-1 for the second-straight season and are in the final stretch before conference play with only three non-league games remaining.

How to Follow the Jayhawks
Saturday’s contest will be televised on Knology and the Jayhawk Radio Network will broadcast the game over the airwaves. Fans can also watch online (for a fee) at www.KUAthletics.com.

Promotions
Saturday is camper reunion day. All children who attended one of KU’s women’s summer basketball camps can get into the contest for free. KU Athletics will also be giving out free Jayhawk flags.

Fast Breaks
– Kansas is leading the nation with its 50.6 field goal percentage led by Carolyn Davis’ 66.7 percent mark, which ranks second nationally (through games on Dec. 12).

– In the most recent USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll, released Dec. 12, Kansas is receiving votes for the third-straight week. The team’s 12 votes put KU at No. 28. The Jayhawks are also receiving a vote in the AP Top 25 for the first time this season.

– The Jayhawks defeated Wisconsin by 29 points last week (73-44) and have defeated opponents by double-digit points in seven of their eight victories, including four games by 20 or more points.

– KU had just six turnovers versus Wisconsin, which was one shy of the school record for fewest turnovers in a game. The team’s six miscues were its fewest since turning the ball over six times against New Orleans on Dec. 3, 2005.

– Kansas has outrebounded eight of its nine opponents.

– Carolyn Davis is just one block shy of cracking KU’s top 10 career blocks list.

– Angel Goodrich has led the team in both assists and steals in all nine games this season (including ties).

About the Jayhawks
For the fourth time this season, Kansas defeated its opponent by 20 or more points as it topped Wisconsin 73-44 on Dec. 8 to preserve the team’s unblemished 7-0 record in Allen Fieldhouse. Senior Aishah Sutherland led the Jayhawks on the boards for the fifth time pulling down a career-high 16 rebounds. She also added 12 points for her third double-double of the year. Sutherland leads KU with 9.4 rpg on the season, which also ranks fourth in the Big 12. Her 13.6 ppg are second on the team only to junior Carolyn Davis’ 15.9 average. Davis is one of the top shooters in the nation as her 66.7 field goal percentage ranks second in the country. As a team, the Jayhawks lead the nation shooting 50.6 percent from the field. Guiding the Kansas offense is point guard Angel Goodrich, who ranks second nationally with 7.8 assists per game, but her shot is just as dangerous as the junior contributes 12.0 ppg. Junior Monica Engleman is one of the first players off the bench for KU and adds 7.7 ppg and is especially effective from the foul line. Her 92.0 free throw percentage is 16th nationally. Another top reserve is sophomore Tania Jackson who averages 7.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per outing.

Scouting UMKC
UMKC will be playing its fourth-straight game on the road when it comes to Lawrence for Saturday’s matchup. The Kangaroos are 6-4 overall, including 3-3 away from home, following a 70-68 overtime win at Eastern Michigan on Dec. 9. As a team, UMKC has been accurate from beyond the three-point arc hitting 40.0 percent of its shots from long range. Dayon Hall-Jones paces the Roos with 17.9 ppg. Kim Nezianya is next adding 11.6 ppg behind a team-high 52.3 field goal percentage. She also pulls down 5.8 rpg, second to only Brianna Eldridge’s 8.3 rpg. Eilise O’Connor and LeAndrea Thomas round out UMKC’s double-figure scorers with 11.0 and 10.6 ppg, respectively.

Series History
Kansas has won the last five meetings with UMKC and owns a 14-3 all-time series advantage, including 5-0 in games played in Lawrence. The last Kangaroo victory was on March 18, 1992 in Springfield, Mo. Last season, the Jayhawks won 64-58 in Lawrence.

Up Next
The Jayhawks next take on Oral Roberts on Dec. 21 in Allen Fieldhouse. The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start and will be televised on Knology.