Spring Break
The UMKC Kangaroos (8-14, 3-6 in Summit) escaped on Saturday night from Kemper Arena with a 76-73 win over the Centenary Gents (9-12, 3-6 in the Summit) in Summit League play. Coming out of the gates after a miserable defeat at the hands of Oral Roberts University on Thursday night, the UMKC Kangaroos seemed poised for some payback and the Centenary Gents were caught in the Roo's headlights.
Okay, there was plenty to discuss about our basketball teams' up-and-down weekend. A chat about the parity not only in the Summit League itself, but across the board all around the NCAA in particular was considered. A discussion about the academic standing of the UMKC Athletics department might have made for a feel-good moment or two.
Oral Roberts University (ORU) hit the court Thursday night at Kemper Arena on a mission. The assignment they obviously chose to accept was to prove they were up to the challenge of dismantling a Summit League team before the second half even began. "Coach told us to keep pressuring the ball," said ORU senior guard Adam Liberty.
UMKC junior forward Brian Gettinger insists he was not always considered the athlete he has now become. He started playing basketball at 6 years old, but it took him a few years to reach his current status. "I was never any good until about freshman year of high school," Gettinger said.
Cruising along with a 39-18 half time lead over the Centenary Ladies (3-15, 0-8 in the Summit League) on Saturday afternoon inside Kemper Arena, the UMKC Kangaroos (9-10, 2-6 in the Summit) survived a shooting drought in the second stanza and held on to a 57-46 Summit League victory.
The UMKC women did little to improve their lot in the Summit League standings, losing 76-63 to the South Dakota State University (SDSU) Jackrabbits in Brookings, S.D. on Monday night. Sophomore guard Chazny Morris' 24 points went all for naught as the Roos tumbled to 1-6 in the conference standings (8-10 overall) after dropping their second consecutive road game.
Thirty-four?UMKC student athletes achieved the merit of The Summit League Fall Academic all-League team. UMKC Athletics Director Tim Hall was courtside inside Kemper Arena on Saturday night to congratulate the student athletes as they were introduced to the crowd of nearly 2000 cheering fans.
Junior guard Heather Wimberly is a dedicated athlete through wins, losses, bumps and bruises. Wimberly has suffered three injuries to her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) while playing basketball at UMKC. Though each setback was tough to take, the Kangaroo point guard says she learned a little more about herself from each one.
