UMKC closes out road trip with win fueled by efficient offense

UMKC recorded a high shooting percentage to close out its four-game road trip with a win on Sunday.

Struggles to find the bottom of the net have plagued UMKC during several of its games so far this season, but that wasn’t the case on Sunday. Paired with a strong defensive effort, the hot shooting enabled the Roos to claim a 65-55 victory at UT-Martin on Sunday, Nov. 26.

Against Penn in UMKC’s final game of the Gulf Coast Showcase last week, the Roos (3-5) shot just 39 percent from the field as a team. In Tennessee on Sunday, UMKC improved that figure to 43 percent, including going 14-for-28 from 3-point range.

Much of that offensive efficiency was fueled by forcing 15 turnovers and holding UT-Martin to under 36 percent shooting during the first half. Two of UT-Martin’s starters were held off the score sheet entirely. Perhaps most importantly, the Roos were frustrating their opponent without fouling, as UT-Martin recorded a mere six free throw attempts during the contest.

Perhaps the greatest individual frustration for UT-Martin on Sunday was sophomore guard Isaiah Ross. Ross, who didn’t start the season opener at Wichita State but has since made himself a fixture in the starting lineup with his play, set a new career high with 27 points on Sunday. Ross went 10-for-15 from the field, including 7-of-11 behind the arc.

Ross’ efforts helped spur UMKC to not only its first road win of the season, but a .500 road trip. During the first three games of the road trip, senior guard Broderick Robinson had taken on the role of scorer for UMKC, which landed him a spot on the Gulf Coast Showcase All-Tournament team. UT-Martin limited him to just seven points. Outside of Ross, no Roo scored in double figures on Sunday. For the first time since the home win over Haskell, UMKC recorded more assists than it did turnovers.

The point total on Sunday wasn’t as impressive as what the Roos put up in that home win over Haskell, but the efficiency on the road against a team that is likely superior to Haskell, and winning despite so many scorers being limited is more important. It’s the kind of effort that the Roos will need more of as the non-conference slate continues with even more imposing opponents yet to be faced.

Next: Royals Rumors: Potential landing spots for Mike Moustakas in free agency

The next date on that schedule is a home game against South Dakota (6-2), which will be the Roos’ annual game played at Swinney Recreation Center on campus. If the Roos can again take advantage of opportunities to execute, they stand a good chance to push their record closer to .500.