Posted: Apr 20, 2021

No.1 Eagles romp at NJCAA opener

HICKORY, N.C. - The Kirkwood Eagles rolled to a 63-28 victory over North Platte in the opening round of the NJCAA Division II women's basketball tournament Tuesday night at the Tarlton Complex.

Kirkwood (22-1) will face No. 8 Illinois Central (19-3) in the quarterfinals Thursday at 6 p.m.

The Eagles, who are seeded No. 1 in the tournament, raced to a 19-3 lead in the first quarter and enjoyed a 39-12 bulge at halftime.

Kirkwood did not let North Platte scored for the first 8 1/2 minutes of the third quarter and led 49-12 at that point.

Tasia Jordan led a balanced attack with 10 points. Ashley Tull grabbed 13 rebounds and blocked two shots. Naya Haymon had five assists.

North Platte fell to 10-12. They shot 10 for 58 from the field for 17.2 percent.

NORTH PLATTE (28): Diamond Moore-Heath 1 0-0 2, Amber Wolever 1 0-0 2, Kayla Pope 2 0-0 6, Janay Brauer 1 2-4 5, Jada Ballard 0 0-0 0, Jalyn Reagans 4 0-0 8, Jocylin Sellers 0 0-2 0, Kanesha Hall 1 3-5 5, Jordyn Moon 0 0-0 0, Jennessy Aragon-Dennis 0 0-0 0, Viri Escobar 0 0-0 0. Totals 10 5-11 28.

KIRKWOOD (63): Ashley Tull 3 1-2 7, Kemara Watson 4 0-0 8, Tatiana Hodges-Johnon 2 0-1 4, Kortney Drake 2 0-0 5, Karsyn Stratton 4 0-0 8, Maddie Paulsen 2 3-4 7, Corey Whitlock 1 0-0 2, Kendra Hatley 0 0-0 0, Naya Haymon 1 1-2 4, Delani Kosner 1 0-0 2, Tasia Jordan 5 0-2 10, Dominique Rodriguez 2 1-2 6. Totals 27 6-13 63.