FORT WAYNE, IND. (AP) - Rob Whitfield scored 23 points, distributed six assists with four rebounds and three steals and UMKC erupted after halftime for a 90-73 men’s basketball win against Purdue Fort Wayne on Saturday.
The Kangaroos (2-7) have won both their games when scoring 90 or more. UMKC has won two of three after dropping six straight to start the season.
“We did an outstanding job of sharing the basketball this afternoon,” UMKC coach Kareem Richardson said. “Fort Wayne is a difficult team to guard because they shoot it very well from three(-point range). We had many stretches this afternoon where we guarded our tails off.”
UMKC led 36-32 at halftime before scoring 54 second-half points. Matt Holba’s layup brought the Mastodons (5-5) within 52-48 with 13:49 left. Brandon McKissic followed with a layup and that started a 12-0 run in which Jamel Allen scored half the points. Purdue Fort Wayne never got closer than 12 points the rest of the way.
Xavier Bishop scored 20 points with seven rebounds and five assists for UMKC, Danny Dixon scored 14, Jordan Giles, 11 and Allen 10.
Kason Harrell led Purdue Fort Wayne with 21 points, John Konchar added 17 points and 12 rebounds, Dylan Carl had 14 points and Jarred Godfrey, 10.
UMKC’s plays at South Dakota next Saturday. Tipoff is 1 p.m.
