'Roos Step Back Into Conference Play, Face UN‐Omaha In New Years Eve Clash

The 'Roos look to snap a five-game skid when they step back into conference play on New Year's Eve against first-year Summit League member University of Nebraska-Omaha at 5:00 p.m. The game will be broadcast on KCXL 102.9FM and 1140 AM.

The Mavericks come in on a two-game skid, and are still looking for their first Summit League win. It will be the first time UMKC has faced the Mavericks in Omaha, and first as a member of the Summit League. Last season they met for the first time as Division I schools, with Kansas City taking the game at home by a 77-74 score. This will be only the second meeting between the two schools in the Division I ranks.

Prior to Division I, UNO held a 4-2 advantage in the series. Matt Brown is 1-0 vs. UNO’s head coach Derrin Hansen.

Omaha is playing its fourth Summit League game, and comes in at 3-12 overall, 0-3 in conference play, falling to all three Dakota schools thus far. UNO is in its second year as a Division I school after transitioning from D-II.

The Mavericks are led by Justin Simmons with 12.9 points and 3.9 rebounds per game, while forward John Karhoff has posted 11.7 points per outing. They are led in rebounding by Alex Welhouse at 4.3 per contest.

As a team the Mavs allow 82.7 points per game and .487 shooting percentage. They also have a -9.1 rebound margin and -3.3 turnover margin. Offensively they score 64.9 points a game and shoot 43.3 percent.

While losing to #25 Kansas State, UMKC may have played one of their best games of the season. The eight-point margin vs. No. 25 Kansas State was the closest ever for the 'Roos against a top-25 team. Previously it was 15 vs. No. 24 Kansas in 2008.

Fred Chatmon's 16 rebounds vs. Kansas State are the most for a UMKC player since Spencer Johnson  pulled down 18 against Western Illinois on January 22, 2011. It was also the most against a major conference team since Lonni Alexander grabbed 17 against Texas A&M on December 20, 1996. Thomas Staton was the only player in double-figure scoring at 13.

Kansas City continues conference play with its next two games, playing both South Dakota State and North Dakota State at Municipal Auditorium this Thursday and Saturday. Both games will be televised on KSMO-TV channel 62.