Preview: Denver Looks to Sweep Season Series Against Kansas City

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Interstat) — Two Summit League men’s basketball teams seeking momentum will meet Wednesday when the Denver Pioneers visit the Missouri-Kansas City Kangaroos at Municipal Auditorium.

Denver (9-13) enters having lost five of its last six games, though its offense has shown potency. The Pioneers fell 93-86 to North Dakota on Saturday despite a 32-point performance from guard Carson Johnson. The junior has been a consistent bright spot, averaging 22.6 points over his last seven contests. He scored 23 points in the first meeting with UMKC this season, a Denver victory.

The Kangaroos (4-17) have struggled, losing 10 of their last 11. They are coming off a 77-60 home loss to Omaha on Saturday. Guard Kasheem Grady led UMKC with 15 points in that defeat and has provided scoring bursts, including a 21-point outing at South Dakota on Jan. 15.

The Pioneers won the season’s first matchup 87-74 in Denver on Dec. 31. Johnson’s 23 points paced Denver, while Grady had seven points and six rebounds for UMKC.

Denver’s recent games have been high-scoring affairs, with the team averaging 84.4 points over its last five outings. UMKC has faced defensive challenges, allowing an average of 86.2 points during its current four-game skid.

Wednesday’s game represents a key opportunity for both sides in conference play. Denver aims to stabilize its season and complete a series sweep, while the Kangaroos look to defend their home court and find a path out of a prolonged slump.

Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST.