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UMKC men look tournament-ready while women struggle

By Derek Helling

BAKERSFIELD, CA - FEBRUARY 03: UMKC Kangaroos guard Broderick Robinson (10) drives the ball to the basket with Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners guard Damiyne Durham (23) defending during the game between the UMKC Roos and the CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners on February 03, 2018, at Icardo Center, in Bakersfield, CA. (Photo by David Dennis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BAKERSFIELD, CA - FEBRUARY 03: UMKC Kangaroos guard Broderick Robinson (10) drives the ball to the basket with Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners guard Damiyne Durham (23) defending during the game between the UMKC Roos and the CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners on February 03, 2018, at Icardo Center, in Bakersfield, CA. (Photo by David Dennis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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As the UMKC women’s basketball team has fallen just short in its past two games, the men’s team has proven that it can compete with any other team in the Western Athletic Conference.

Going into play on Thursday, Feb. 8, both the men’s and women’s basketball teams from UMKC had work to do in order to get themselves into better position for the Western Athletic Conference tournament. So far the Roo men (8-18 overall, 3-7 WAC) have gotten the job done against two of the top teams in the conference.

Thursday brought a home game for UMKC against Seattle University, which was tied for third place in the conference standings going into the game. By out-rebounding an opponent for the first time this season, limiting the Redhawks to just 36.8 percent shooting and getting the first career double-double from sophomore forward Jordan Giles (18 points, 10 rebounds), the Roos secured a 74-67 win.

"“I’ve been in a slump. My confidence has been in a slump. I’ve been letting my teammates and coaches motivate me. I had to come in and have a good game,” Giles said.More from KC KingdomWin $650 GUARANTEED Plus $100 Off NFL Sunday Ticket With Caesars, FanDuel and DraftKings Kansas Promos!This Plus-Money Bobby Witt Jr. Prop Bet is on Fire (Hit in 15/21 Games)!How to Bet on the Chiefs vs. Cardinals in NFL Preseason Week 2The Royals Need to Extend Bobby Witt Jr. ImmediatelyThe 3 Most Intriguing Games on the Chiefs’ Schedule"

UMKC was in a comfortable position for most of the game on Thursday, a trend that carried on to Saturday’s game against Utah Valley. The Wolverines came into game with the second-best conference record, but Giles victimized them to an even greater extent. Giles finished with 23 points, which were complemented by a double-double by senior guard Broderick Robinson (17 points, 11 rebounds). While the Roos weren’t able to replicate their success on the boards, their 13 made 3-point shot attempts and limiting the same facet of Utah Valley’s game led to the 77-70 win.

"“I think the key for the game was that we limited their three pointers. They only made four threes throughout the game. Typically they are making 10 threes a game. That was a big emphasis for us,” UMKC men’s head coach Kareem Richardson stated."

As the men were building their confidence in Kansas City, UMKC’s women (8-17 overall, 4-6 WAC) faced Seattle and Utah Valley on the road. While both games were tightly contested, the Roos ultimately lost both.

Thursday’s contest featured six ties and seven lead changes, and it was Seattle who made the last run of the game to claim a 66-62 win. On Saturday, UMKC had a chance at what would have been a go-ahead possession with less than 20 seconds to play in the second half, but failed to convert the possession into points and lost 68-65.

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UMKC’s men team will play its final home game of the season on Thursday, Feb. 15 against Chicago State while the women will host their counterparts from Chicago State on Saturday, Feb. 17.

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