UMKC women turn page on season with loss at Kansas

The women’s basketball team from UMKC has finished the most grueling part of its 2017-18 schedule and is ready to show what it has learned during the six-game stretch.

The women’s basketball team from UMKC may be to off to an 0-6 start, but the atmosphere around the team doesn’t appear defeated or panicky. During Wednesday’s night game at Kansas, which the Roos lost 63-48, and after, the tone was confident and expectant. That confidence was reflected in head coach Jacie Hoyt’s comments after the contest.

"“With our schedule, we have faced a lot of really high-caliber teams. It’s just focusing on what we want to do within our plays, within our defense. We did that. We like to play great defense and force a lot of turnovers. To force Kansas into 18 turnovers is something that we are really proud of.”"

The turnovers helped UMKC put out another solid defensive effort. The Roos are the first team to hold Jayhawks guard Kylee Kopatich to scoring in single digits so far this season. UMKC has also held its last three opponents under 70 points.

The offense still needs work, however. UMKC shot under 29 percent from the field as a team against the Jayhawks. The Roos also shot under 29 percent in their previous game at Illinois State. Some of the offensive struggles can be attributed to the ability of opponents to limit the production of guard Samantha Waldron and forward Kiana Law. Over the past two games, the senior duo have combined for a mere 17 points. Hoyt spoke about what she has seen in their struggles.

"“I think it’s a little bit of both [defenses keying on the pair and the duo not knocking down shots]. For Kiana, it’s been a lot about match-ups. As we said before, Nebraska had some really nice bigs, Iowa State as well,it’s tough for us to score against that size. We won’t face that size for the rest of the year. I think that has a lot to do with it. For Sam, no one works harder than Sam. She’s going to keep doing what she needs to do to make shots. I’m not worried about it. I know those shots are going to fall. She’s getting open looks, she just needs to knock them down. I know she will.”"

While Kansas was able to limit Law and Waldron, that meant opportunities for other UMKC players to fill the void. Senior guard Aries Washington had her typical night, tallying 15 points, six rebounds and an assist against the Jayhawks. Washington had 14 of the Roos’ 24 first-half points before the Jayhawk defense adjusted to her attack. The second half was when junior forward Kristen Moore stepped up in a way that was unprecedented on the season for UMKC.

More from UMKC Kangaroos

• UMKC Basketball: Roos hire Billy Donlon as new head coach
• New Mexico State quells momentum of UMKC men and women
• UMKC men and women gain momentum by upending Chicago State
• UMKC men look tournament-ready while women struggle
• UMKC men and women have work to do in WAC seeding race

Moore doubled her first-half output in points (six) during the second half and collected eight rebounds to go along with the two she had from the first half to record not only her first double-double of the season but the first this season for the Roos as well. The 18 points are also a season high for her. After the game, she explained what made her so effective.

"“Coach really talks about next play mentality. I came off two pretty bad games. It’s all about that next game, that next play, so I try to keep my head. I put in the work and I know that my teammates trust me, my coach trusts me. That next shot will fall.”"

While the 0-6 start isn’t desirable, UMKC is looking ahead to its first home game of the season on Saturday against Lincoln (Nebraska) with not only relief that the longest stretch of consecutive road games of the season is over, but anticipation of what having four of the next five games at home can bring. Hoyt elaborated on that.

Next: KC Chiefs: Pros and cons of starting Patrick Mahomes this season

"“We haven’t played a single home game and we are probably the only team in the country who has had such a tough schedule and who hasn’t had a home game. We are really excited to get back in front of our fans. We get to practice on that floor everyday, so we are looking forward to it to say the least.”"