GAME NOTES: The UMKC Kangaroos shoot for a second straight win on Saturday, as they clash with the Arkansas-Little Rock Trojans as part of the Maui Invitational Regional Tournament at the Jack Stephens Center.

The Kangaroos, now part of the Western Athletic Conference, are coming off a 90-77 victory versus Missouri S&T on Wednesday night. The team has now won a pair of games against in-state rivals, having topped Missouri in the season opener as well, 69-61.

Similar to the Roos, UALR also has a win against an in-state rival, beating up on Arkansas-Monticello in the opener, 77-64. However, against a tougher opponent like BYU, the Trojans were run out of the Marriott Center in Provo earlier this week, 91-62.

The series between the programs is tied at one game apiece, with UALR winning the most recent encounter by a score of 59-53 back in 2000.

Both of these teams will be back in action on Sunday, with the squads squaring off against the other two teams taking part in this event, Samford and Cal State Northridge, depending on the outcomes on Saturday.

Against Missouri S&T, the Kangaroos shot an impressive 53.4 percent from the floor and outscored the visitors in the paint by a massive 48-16 margin. UMKC gave the Miners every opportunity to steal away a victory, as the hosts turned the ball over 24 times, but the visitors were even more lazy with the ball, registering 29 miscues.

Broderick Newbill led four players in double figures with 14 points, followed by Frank Williams, Shayok Shayok and Martez Harrison with 13 points apiece. Shayok was credited with a team-best nine rebounds and Harrison a game-high 11 assists.

Not only is Harrison pacing the program in scoring with 20.0 ppg, but he is also tops with 19 assists in an effort to get his teammates involved in the action. Shayok (11.0 ppg) is tops in the paint for the Roos with 6.3 rpg.

The BYU Cougars took no pity on visiting UALR on Tuesday night, holding the Trojans to only 34.4 percent from the floor and beating the squad on the glass by a 47-33 margin. Roger Woods tried to keep the Trojans competitive with his 19 points and nine rebounds, while James Reid pitched in with 10 points, but other than that the offense suffered.

Woods, who is playing 25.5 minutes per contest, is pouring in 13.0 ppg and is also first on the team with 11.0 rpg. Reid pitches in with 11.0 ppg, thanks in part to his 5-of-11 shooting behind the 3-point line. As a team, UALR has knocked down 17-of-42 beyond the arc, but at the same time the team has allowed foes to convert 17-of-38 out on the perimeter, something the Trojans need to focus more on stopping.

The Kangaroos caught lightning in a bottle with the victory over Missouri, but otherwise the team is probably a lot closer, talent-wise, to the Trojans. Unfortunately for UMKC, since it is playing in enemy territory, assume it will come up short in this meeting.