Injury-Plagued 'Roos Drop 78-66 Decision To Wolverines

UMKC knew it had a tough hill to climb going into Wednesday night's contest against Utah Valley, with five players out due to injury or sickness. It proved to be too much to overcome as the Wolverines took the 78-66 win.

The Kangaroos (4-13), who dropped their ninth straight, played the contest without any of the three players that had seen significant time at the point guard position. Starter Estan Tyler, along with Nate Rogers and Mason Wedel all sat out. Also injured for the game were forwards Trinity Hall (who has been out the last seven games) and Alton Tanner.

Getting his first career start at point guard for the 'Roos was junior walk-on Aaron Washington, who had only practiced with the team eight times and played one minute of game-time ever at UMKC coming in. He performed admirably, logging 32 minutes, eight points and five assists.

The 'Roos also got career-high scoring performances from true freshman John Burke and redshirt freshman Trevor Franklin. Burke led the squad with 15 points, while Franklin put up eight in the game.

The contest started tight, with neither team leading by more than four points in the first half. The Wolverines (8-10) and 'Roos battled back-and-forth for eight ties and four lead changes during the period, but UVU went into the half with a 31-27 advantage.

Utah Valley held Kansas City without a bucket for the final 2:53, and scored the final four points of the period. The difference proved to be turnovers, as UMKC made nine turnovers that turned into 16 points for UVU, while the Wolverines made only four miscues.

The final stanza was all Utah Valley though, as the guests shot a ridiculous 77.3 percent from the floor, while Kansas City hit 57.7 percent. UVU took 18 of its 22 shots in the period from within 10 feet of the bucket.

The Wolverines pushed their lead to 10 by the 13:39 mark on a layup by Ben Aird, but within two minutes the 'Roos had cut the margin to only four on a Thomas Staton jumper. UVU went on a run with 10 minutes on the clock though, and iced the game. Over the next 5:50, Utah Valley out-scored Kansas City 19-6, pushing its lead to a game-high 18 with only 4:10 to play. It coasted to the victory from there.

Burke's 15 points led the 'Roos, while Staton and junior Nelson Kirksey added 10 apiece. As a team UMKC hit 51.9 percent from the field, while 14 turnovers led to 25 Utah Valley points.

UVU was paced by three players with 18 points in Aird, Alfonzo Hubbard, and Nick Thompson.

Kansas City will hit the road on Saturday to face South Dakota at 7:00 p.m. in a Summit League match-up. It will kick off a three-game road swing in conference play.