UMKC basketball offensive struggles continue at home against Loyola

The men’s basketball team from UMKC has shown flashes of its potential to execute on both ends of the court, but putting it together for 40 minutes still eludes the Roos.

Maybe it was the fact that the contest was their fourth game in seven days. Maybe it was the opposing Missouri Valley Conference defense. Maybe it was the growing pains of youth. Maybe it was a combination of those or yet unidentified factors, but for whatever reason, the offensive struggles of the men of UMKC basketball were unmistakeable in a 66-56 loss at home to Loyola (Chicago) on Thursday night.

The frustrations were reminiscent of the team’s previous game at Kansas State, in which the Roos (1-3) managed just 51 points on 26 percent shooting. In Thursday’s contest, the team shot 29 percent from the field. Head coach Kareem Richardson spoke about the offensive vexation that his team is dealing with right now.

"“We got penetration and we got wide open looks, we didn’t knock them down. When you’re playing this style that we are playing, I’ve seen it and I’ve seen it, as the year goes along, our percentages will go up because we will get in better game shape. We’ll start knocking down these wide-open threes in the second half as we go. We can’t be any worse in shooting percentage so we have to go up.”"

Again hearkening back to the contest against the Wildcats, which UMKC managed to lead for over five minutes despite long scoring droughts, the defensive execution was solid through the first half against Loyola. The Roos held the Ramblers (3-0) to 36 percent shooting in the half and allowed only one 3-point basket.

That combined with what would be the beginning of a career night for senior guard Broderick Robinson enabled UMKC to hold a 26-20 advantage at the break. Robinson accounted for eight points in the first half, shooting 50 percent along with grabbing four rebounds and recording two steals.

Unfortunately for the Roos, Robinson’s second-half effort wouldn’t be enough to nullify some adjustments that Loyola made during halftime.

The Ramblers found their shot in the second half, nailing 12 of 17 total attempts and 4-of-8 from 3-point range through the first 13:36 of the half to turn a six-point deficit into a six-point advantage. Richardson explained what he saw in the momentum swing.

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"“It was a cliché of two tales. The first half was great. Second half was subpar to say the least, especially from a defensive end. We gave up 20 points in the first half, our defense was awesome. Then the second half, we had too may breakdowns obviously. We gave those guys easy buckets. We gotta start second halves better.”"

Robinson would finish the game with 16 points, which is a career high for him. He was joined in double figures by sophomore forward Jordan Giles at 12 and sophomore guard Isaiah Ross with 11. Robinson also led the team in rebounding at seven and steals at four. Both of those figures match career highs for him. Freshman guard Brandon McKissic set the pace in assists with three, a number that junior forward Aleer Leek matched in blocked shots.

As a team, the Roos went 16-55 from the field, including 9-for-30 (30 percent) for the game. The total rebounding was dead even at 33, but UMKC bested Loyola in offensive boards, helping them attempt 10 more field goals than the Ramblers. UMKC also forced 18 turnovers. Ross spoke about how the team can convert more of those opportunities into points after the game.

"“We’re really starting to click, I feel right now, even though our record may not say that we are starting to click, but I feel that we are starting to click. We are going to go on the road here soon. Coach gave us all the keys to win. It’s up to us to pull through, play hard and pull through on our assignments.”"

Next: Kansas City Chiefs: Mid Season Gradecards

The Roos have a couple of days to figure out how to replicate the good moments from the season over 40 minutes before the take the court next in Estero, Fla., in the Gulf Coast Showcase. UMKC’s first game in the tournament will be against Manhattan on Monday, Nov. 20 at 10 a.m.

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