Sophomore guard Chazny Morris takes it to the hoop.

Kangaroos turnover any chance of victory against Oral Roberts

Season-high 30 miscues cost UMKC in 65-56 defeat

By: Nick Wells

Posted: 2/25/08

The UMKC women's basketball team looked to shrug off a six-game losing streak on Saturday, Feb. 23, but a season-high 30 turnovers cost the Kangaroos a conference win on the road against Oral Roberts University (ORU) 65-56.

At the Mabee Center in Tulsa, Okla., UMKC led going into the intermission, shooting better than 52 percent from the hardwood, but the Roos struggled out of the gate in the second half, committing five turnovers in as many minutes.

Turnovers were a common theme throughout the contest, as UMKC could not get a shot off in its first three possessions of the game. Sophomore Chazny Morris got the Roos off the snide, draining a three-pointer with 17:33 remaining in the first period.

UMKC hung onto the lead nearly the entire half taking a 24-19 lead with 7:18 left to play. In the opening stanza there were four ties and five lead changes. The Roos took a 33-32 advantage heading into the locker rooms over the Golden Eagles with 20 minutes yet to be decided.

Leading at the half was a nice omen for the Kangaroos this year, as their 8-3 record in such situations has attested. But luck would not be on their side in this one, as ORU guard Mariana Camargo came out firing in the second half, scoring six of her game-high 15 points in the first two minutes of action.

The Roos were down by as many as 10 points in the second half, but refused to lay down or go away, as players off the Roo bench, junior guard Brittny Picconi and freshman guard Sarah Stewart, helped UMKC claw their way back in to the game, slicing the Golden Eagle lead to just three points.

But Oral Roberts proved too much for the Roos down the stretch, as the Golden Eagles had four players in double figures.

Chazny Morris and Brittny Picconi led the Kangaroos with 14 points each, and senior center Alysa Klein added 13 points and eight rebounds respectively. The Roos had the rebounding edge, as well as 21 points off the bench, compared to eight for ORU, but the difference in the game was the 30 turnovers the Roos committed versus only seven assists.

UMKC (9-17, 2-13 Summit) will close out its final road trip of the season on Monday night, Feb. 25, as they travel to Shreveport, La. to play the Centenary College Ladies.

nwells@unews.com.