No. 2 KCC women hold off Butler
SEDALIA, Mo. - The second-ranked Kirkwood women's basketball team made six straight free throws in the final minute Friday to trim Butler Community College, 67-59, in the season opener at the State Fair Classic.
The Eagles were clinging to a 61-59 lead with 37 seconds remaining when they began their successful march to the foul line to secure the victory.
Amara Lipsey hit three 3-pointers and scored 11 points to lead a balanced attack for Kirkwood. Paige Bradford, Marissa Metz, and Kortney Drake scored eight points apiece.
Natalie Tomaszewski grabbed seven rebounds and blocked five shots for the Eagles. Jheda Kennedy had four assists.
KIRKWOOD (67): Paige Bradford 2-3 4-6 8, Tatiana Hodges-Johnson 2-4 1-4 5, Ju Gaston 0-4 6-8 6, Amara Lipsey 3-7 2-2 11, Marissa Metz 3-7 1-2 8, Delani Harris 1-8 4-4 7, Jheda Kennedy 0-1 0-0 0, Kortney Drake 2-8 4-4 8, Addison Rath 0-0 2-2 2, Natalie Tomaszewski 3-4 0-0 6, Kemara Watson 1-2 4-4 6, Britney Smith 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 17-48 28-36 67.
Halftime - Kirkwood 28, Butler 27. 3-point goals - Kirkwood 5 (Lipsey 3, Metz 1, Harris 1).
