'Roos Crush Blue Tigers in Home Opener, 99-64

The UMKC men's basketball squad opened the home portion of the schedule with a 99-64 trouncing of Lincoln (Mo.) on Tuesday night, shooting 60 percent from the floor.

The 'Roos (1-1) led from start to finish in the contest, thanks in part to a hot start from junior forward Kirk Korver. He hit four of his career-best five three pointers in the opening half, and helped Kansas City move its lead to double-digits by the 11:42 mark to stay. He tallied 11 of the team's first 19 points.

The NCAA Division II Blue Tigers (0-2) shot only 30 percent in the first period. The contest was considered an exhibition for LU, but the guests played with plenty of intensity. The two squads battled back-and-forth through the middle part of the half, but Korver sparked another Kangaroo run with a three at the 6:05 mark, starting a 14-1 spurt that virtually ended the contest, giving them a 26-point advantage with 2:40 left in the half. They would go into the break with a 51-29 lead.

UMKC hit 57.6 percent in the period, including a 7-of-13 clip from three-point land in the opening stanza. Korver had 14 points to lead the 'Roos, while Charles Cole tallied 14 for LU. Kansas City also had a 24-14 advantage on the glass.

The 'Roos saw the Blue Tigers cut it to 15 early in the final period, but by the 13:56 mark it was back to a 25-point lead on an old-fashioned three-point play by Thomas Staton. By the seven minute mark it was a 30-point lead, and the 'Roos were running the fast break for numerous dunks and layups.

UMKC out-scored Lincoln 16-2 in fast break points, and shot a blistering 64 percent from the floor, with only four threes attempted in the final stanza. For the game, the 'Roos bench out-scored the Blue Tigers 60-22.

The only Kangaroo to finish in double-figures was Korver with 17 points, but all 13 players scored at least four points. Seven players ended the night with eight or more points as well. The team finished with a 47-24 rebound edge, and was paced by a career-high nine boards from senior center Brad Reid. Sophomore guard Estan Tyler had six assists to only one turnover as well. For LU, Cole tallied 20 points and 10 rebounds.