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The UMKC Kangaroos finished their home games for the season Saturday night at Municipal Auditorium against Oral Roberts University (ORU).
ORU played well and took the game with a final score of 93-62.
The first four minutes of the game were back and forth, with UMKC keeping up to the talented flow of ORU.
Pure athleticism was shown, with no team taking any type of significant lead.
Playing injured, senior forward Dane Brumagin led the Roos with two baskets, after a nice dropped three-point shot by sophomore forward Bakari Lewis.
But at 15:53, with the score at 11-9 for ORU, a time-out was called, changing the pace and direction of the game.
ORU guard Robert Jarvis began hitting threes from miles outside the three line.
"That's the best he's shot the ball, probably dating back before Christmas," ORU Head Coach Scott Sutton said.
ORU was just bigger, stronger, and more experienced, and were able to set the pace of the game.
"They just outplayed us," freshman forward Latreze Mushatt said. "They out-manned us out there - it was a lesson learned for us."
UMKC had to fight truly hard on defense to keep up with the ORU Golden Eagles.
With five minutes left in the half, it was apparent how tired the Roos were.
When they would get the ball back to their end of the court they moved slower, in an attempt to catch their breath.
With three minutes left in the half, Brumagin led the Roos in a small run by dropping a three-point shot, putting the score at 42-26 for ORU. (Brumagin ended the game leading the Roos in scoring with 16 points.)
At the end of the half the score was 48-28 after another dropped three-point shot by ORU's Jarvis.
Jarvis was his team's top-scorer with 22 points, 18 of them from behind the arch.
In the second half, ORU came back with the same heat they went out on.
The Golden Eagles had several spectacular plays, giving them greater momentum.
"We got some high energy plays with some ally-oop dunks," Coach Sutton said. "That got our guys excited and got them playing harder."
The Kangaroos had difficulty planting their feet and returning with points after ORU scored.
It was both frustrating and inspiring to watch freshman guard Fred Ford work so hard and have no reward for his efforts.
With just under 10 minutes left, Mushatt gave the Roos a boost with a dunk after a steal, and a return to his end with a three-point play, putting the score at 61-44.
Dane Brumagin was honored just before the game with a small ceremony for seniors' day.
He had some positives to take away from Saturday night's match.
"I just appreciate everyone who came out to support me tonight - my family and the fans that have been here through the years," Brumagin said.
kbryce@unews.com
