The women’s basketball team at UMKC played its only exhibition of the season on Saturday, overcoming early struggles to secure a victory.
Saturday’s exhibition against William Jewell College at UMKC wasn’t just a “dress rehearsal” for the members of the Roos’ women’s basketball team. It was also a “trial run” for the head coaching career of new head coach Jacie Hoyt.
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The contest ended up being a strong opportunity for Hoyt to flex her coaching muscles, as she was called upon to help her team navigate some adversity early.
Although the Roos ultimately claimed a 75-64 edge, UMKC wasn’t in control throughout the contest like the men’s team was in its exhibition on Friday night against NAIA school Sterling College.
The first quarter of play saw UMKC and William Jewell trading baskets, as both defenses were adjusting to what they were seeing. UMKC held a narrow 16-14 lead as the second quarter began, but William Jewell was about to ramp up its perimeter offense.
William Jewell finished the first half going 5-for-11 from 3-point range, while the Roos’ shot fell cold in the second quarter. Those elements combined enabled William Jewell to take a 33-32 lead into the locker room. Adjustments made by Hoyt during the break paid off, however, as whatever sluggishness plagued UMKC during the second quarter was quickly forgotten.
The Roos shot 50 percent from the field in both of the final two quarters, working the offense through its post presence. When the final buzzer sounded, a vision of the team’s potential under Hoyt was clearly visible.
The increased interior offense is something that Roos fans should expect to see more of. In this contest, Senior forward Kiana Law and redshirt junior forward Kristen Moore combined for 27 points on 10-22 shooting. Moore nabbed a double-double with 11 rebounds as well. Senior guard Samantha Waldron also finished in double figures with 16 points, as did senior guard Aries Washington with a similar 16. Both Waldron and Washington had five assists to lead the team.
Law and senior guard Daijane Dillard tied for the team lead with two steals each. Moore blocked two shots.
As a team for the game, UMKC shot just under 46 percent from the field and 25 percent from 3-point range. The Roos recorded 17 assists to eight turnovers while forcing 17 William Jewell turnovers. UMKC out-rebounded William Jewell 36-33 and had an impressive 38-8 advantage in points in the paint.
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The Roos play a game that counts for the first time on Friday, Nov. 10 at Western Illinois University. If UMKC can execute on both ends of the court like it did in the second half of this exhibition, then Hoyt could very well get her first win as a head in her first official game.