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UMKC can’t overcome cold start to secure comeback jewel

By Derek Helling

RALEIGH, NC - DECEMBER 09: UMKC guard Marvin Nesbitt Jr. (33) looks to pass the ball during the game between the North Carolina State Wolfpack and the UMKC Kangaroos on December 9, 2017 at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, NC. NC State won 88-69. (Photo by Brian Utesch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - DECEMBER 09: UMKC guard Marvin Nesbitt Jr. (33) looks to pass the ball during the game between the North Carolina State Wolfpack and the UMKC Kangaroos on December 9, 2017 at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, NC. NC State won 88-69. (Photo by Brian Utesch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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After being down by 21 points late in the first half on Tuesday night, the men’s basketball team from UMKC found its shot to make a game out of its final non-conference contest of the 2017-18 regular season.

One of the axioms of basketball is that shots aren’t always going to fall, but teams can always play defense and rebound. Those elements were what allowed the UMKC men’s basketball team (6-16 overall, 1-4 WAC) to overcome a cold start from the field at home on Tuesday night against William Jewell (16-4). Despite being down 21 with just over five minutes to play in the first half, the Roos were able to challenge early in the second half before ultimately losing 86-74.

Even at the high point of William Jewell’s lead, UMKC was able to keep the Cardinals, recently ranked in the D-II coaches’ poll, from posting a high shooting percentage. UMKC limited William Jewell to under 38 percent shooting in the first half.

The Roos forced nine turnovers and held a narrow 23-22 rebounding edge in the first half as well. That’s what enabled UMKC to hang around despite shooting 32.4 percent from the field themselves in the first half.

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"“A big part of it was that we weren’t able to get consistent stops,” said Roos head coach Kareem Richardson. “That was evident in the first half, getting down 20-plus, we fought our way in, we clawed our way back to make it a somewhat of a game. In the second half they drove the basketball and got to the foul line at will and that’s kind of what they do. They made more free throws than we attempted and that’s been the case for them all year.”"

On top of the improved shooting percentage in the second half (40 percent) for UMKC, the Roos were boosted by the return of sophomore forward Jordan Giles from injury. Giles played 17 minutes, going 4-for-6 from the field with 10 points and two rebounds.

While UMKC is still without junior center Mo Ahmed, Giles’ availability gives the Roos a front court presence they missed in the team’s previous game against Grand Canyon University.

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UMKC returns to conference play on Saturday, Jan. 27 to conclude their four-game home stand against New Mexico State (17-3 overall, 5-0 WAC). If the Roos can find their shot more quickly and defend more consistently, they stand a good chance to end the home stand with a victory.

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