UMKC senior center Alysa Klein (R) had her problems on both sides of the court against IUPUI center Julia Whitted (L).

Jaguars pounce on Kangaroos and spoil upset bid

By: Nick Wells

Posted: 3/17/08

The score may not have indicated, but the UMKC women's hoops team played like champions Monday afternoon at the UMAC in Tulsa, Okla.

The Kangaroos battled against the third seeded IUPUI Jaguars, and looked to prolong their Cinderella run through the Summit League Conference Tournament, but fell short 54-42.

UMKC played with reckless abandon, throwing everything but the kitchen sink at the Jags, but a five-minute and 37-second scoring drought was enough to end the Roos' season.

UMKC finished 11-20, 3-15 Summit, but came out and played its best basketball when it mattered.

"After playing poorly the last two games [of the regular season], and not quite having it, and to completely forget about that and come down here and play at a much better level of basketball speaks to just how strong they are and how much courage they have," said UMKC head coach Candace White-Whitaker.

It was the first time after 19 meetings all-time between the schools they faced off in tournament play. IUPUI (18-15,11-7 Summit), fielded a squad that included two first team all-Summit players, including sophomore center Julia Whitted, and two-time Summit League Defensive Player of the Year Jernisha Cann. Cann, a junior guard, attended Center high school in Kansas City.

UMKC lost by 12, but the contest was much closer and featured seven ties and six lead changes. The Jags 6'5'' center Whitted abused the Kangaroos inside, as IUPUI outscored UMKC 32-10 in the paint.

Whitted swatted seven first-half shots, and eight in the game, which set a new conference tournament record. It peaked many in the crowd's curiosity that the Jaguar center was never whistled for a foul against the Roos. It seemed to be of equal interest that no insurrections were called in the Jags' first-round victory over Southern Utah University either.

"I am amazed by that, especially in 38 minutes of play," White-Whitaker said.

Senior point guard Sierra Radke added to the head coach's disbelief.

"It is kind of hard to drive to the basket when they do not call fouls on [Whitted]," Radke said.

The Jaguars jumped out to a 19-12 lead, before second team all-conference sophomore guard Chazny Morris, split a triple team to take the ball to the rack. The following Roo possession Morris drained a three to get UMKC within two points.

Whitted sank a jumper near the free-throw line as the buzzard sounded to send her squad into the locker room at the half on top 25-20.

Whitted was a menace on both ends of the floor, as she hit a jumper to start the second period. "It was a get-out-of-my-house kind of thing," Whitted said.

When asked what it was like guarding Whitted, second team all-conference senior center Alysa Klein offered her sentiments.

"It is tough anytime to play someone that … big," Klein said.

The Jags seemed to be in control until Radke seemed to jolt new life into the Roos as she nailed a three-pointer to give UMKC its first lead of the second stanza, 31-30.

"I really thought momentum was kicking in for us," Radke said.

IUPUI took a 36-33 lead with 9:45 remaining, before Radke rolled down and pumped in another three-pointer as the shot clock expired, tying the contest at 36-36. The Roos would once again knot the score at 38 with 6:52 left, on senior forward Marta Waalen's jump shot, but would not score another point until the clock read 1:15.

UMKC unraveled down the stretch. They were outscored 16-4 in that final six-minute-plus period that ended the game.

The Kangaroos shot just 24 percent from the floor and committed 15 turnovers to only six assists. Klein led the club with 14 points, 11 boards and five rejections.

IUPUI shot 36 percent with Whitted led the field, as she scored 24 points, snatched 16 rebounds, and blocked eight UMKC shot attempts. IUPUI freshman guard Nicole James chipped in 12 points.

When asked about what it has been like playing together for four years, or what the team has meant to them, a couple of the seniors offered their thoughts.

"After playing basketball our whole lives, then to see it is over with, it is real hard," Klein said.

"I only played here two years, and after coming in and trying to turn the UMKC program around and getting to know these girls, we have become like a family," Radke said. "…Not being together anymore, it is going to be difficult."

nwells@unews.com