UMKC Finishes Road Swing With Fort Wayne Saturday Night

The 'Roos play the final game of their road trip on Saturday night against Fort Wayne. Kansas City is 1-1 so far on the road swing, and looks to make it two in a row at Memorial Coliseum after knocking off the Mastodons there last season. IPFW comes in with a perfect 7-0 home record.

It will be the 12th meeting between the 'Roos and Mastodons, with IPFW holding a 6-5 advantage. The two squads split last season with each winning on the other's home floor. The 'Roo win last season marked the first ever at IPFW. The last meeting went to the 'Dons in the season finale of 2012 though, taking the 'Roos out of a berth in the conference tournament, 76-73. Kansas City is 1-4 at IPFW, including the 81-66 win there last season.

Fort Wayne enters the game after a 62-60 win over South Dakota on Thursday. The Mastodons are 9-11 overall and 2-4 in league play, while posting a 7-0 record at home this year.

The 'Dons are led by senior Frank Gaines, who is third in the Summit League at 18.5 points per game. The only other player in double figures is Luis Jacobo at 11.1 per contest. Mario Hines leads the 'Dons in rebounding at 5.9 a game.

As a team the Mastodons lead the league in offensive rebounding at 11.8 per game, while ranking second in rebound margin (+4.0). They score 65.6 and allow 64.8 points per contest.

For UMKC to come out with a victory they will need to tighten the screws on defense. They have allowed their last three opponents to shoot at least 53 percent from the floor.

One bright spot from Thursday’s 81-68 loss to Oakland was the return of junior forward Trinity Hall. He played in his first game since being hurt on December 16.

The 'Roos will continue to lean on the big three of Estan Tyler, Thomas Staton and Fred Chatmon. Tyler (.500) and Staton (.438) rank first and fifth in the league in three-point shooting,  respectively, while Chatmon's 7.2 rebounds per game this season rank third in the Summit League. Chatmon also ranks fourth in blocks (1.3 bpg) while Tyler is sixth in assists (3.4 apg).

UMKC will step out of conference play for a game, facing Houston Baptist at home on Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. at Swinney Recreation Center.