KCC women stunned at nationals

HICKORY, N.C. - The Kirkwood women's basketball team has held a long list of opponents to just 40 points in a game over the years, but it's rarely happened to them.

Until now.

The top-ranked Eagles flailed helplessly at the basket Thursday and were stung by No. 8 Illinois Central, 51-40, in the quarterfinals of the NJCAA Division II national tournament.

Kirkwood (22-2) will play in the consolation bracket Friday at 3 p.m.

The Eagles scored only two points in the second quarter and shot poorly in the entire contest, hitting just 14 of 57 shots for 24.6 percent. Kirkwood was averaging approximately 80 points per game, but managed only half that amount in the biggest game of the year.

Illinois Central did not fare much better, hitting 16 of 52 shots for 30.8 percent, but they outscored Kirkwood 16-11 at the foul line and it was enough for the victory.

The Eagles finished 1-for-22 on 3-pointers. Kortney Drake, their top marksman who was averaging three triples per game, was 0-for-8 against Illinois Central.

In addition to the poor shooting by both teams, it was a sloppy game with Illinois Central committing 25 turnovers and Kirkwood making 20 mistakes.

Illinois Central led, 37-22, after three quarters.

Ashley Tull led the Eagles with eight points and eight rebounds, but made only one field goal. Kayla Gordon scored 19 points for Illinois Central and Kristyn Mitchell chipped in with 12 points.

Illinois (20-3) Central will play in the semifinals Friday night.

ILLINOIS CENTRAL (51): Cierra McNamee 2 1-2 5, Kristyn Mitchell 2 7-8 12, Derria Edwards 1 3-4 5, Courtney Jones 0 0-0 0, Kayla Gordon 8 1-2 19, Camryn Stafford 1 0-0 2, Ayanna Gibbs 1 2-4 4, Samaiya Buchanan 0 0-0 0, Dayja Evans 0 0-0 0, Nia Williams 0 0-0 0, Sh'coria Metts 0 2-2 2, Keijah Gray 1 0-0 2. Totals 16 16-22 51.

KIRKWOOD (40): Kemara Watson 3 0-0 7, Ashley Tull 1 6-12 8, Tatiana Hodges-Johnson 1 0-0 2, Kortney Drake 2 0-0 4, Karsyn Stratton 3 1-1 7, Tasia Jordan 2 1-1 5, Corey Whitlock 0 0-0 0, Maddie Paulsen 1 1-1 3, Naya Haymon 0 2-4 2, Dominique Rodriguez 1 0-0 2. Totals 14 11-19 40.

Halftime - Illinois Central 24, Kirkwood 12. 3-point goals - Illinois Central 3 (Gordon 2, Mitchell 1), Kirkwood 1 (Watson 1).