Eagles finish 5th at national hoops
HICKORY, N.C. - The Kirkwood Eagles topped South Carolina Salkehatchie, 84-78, to claim fifth place at the NJCAA Division II women's basketball tournament Saturday.
Kirkwood compiled a 3-1 record at the tournament and finished 24-2 for the campaign.
Ashley Tull posted a double-double for the Eagles with 14 points and 17 rebounds. She also had three assists and three blocked shots.
Kemara Watson led Kirkwood in scoring with 17 points. Kortney Drake finished with 14 points, seven assists, and four steals. Tatiana Hodges-Johnson contributed 13 points, five rebounds, and three assists.
Mariah Igus tossed in 25 points for Salkehatchie (20-2).
Kirkwood was the No. 1 seed in the tournament but lost to Illinois Central in the quarterfinals. Lake Land defeated Johnson County, 53-49, for the national title Saturday night.
Ashley Tull was named to the All-Tournament team.
SALKEHATCHIE (78): Breah Keitt 4 0-2 8, Mariah Igus 8 5-6 25, Shatyra Elmore 2 2-2 6, Andre'sia Alexander 6 2-5 16, Omari Kirkland 5 1-3 12, Aliana Gilmore 2 0-2 4, Kaia Simpson 3 0-0 6, Antwanique Walley 0 1-2 1, Jae'la Dunn 0 0-0 0. Totals 30 11-22 78.
KIRKWOOD (84): Ashley Tull 4 6-7 14, Tatiana Hodges-Johnson 5 2-4 13, Karsyn Stratton 3 0-0 6, Kemara Watson 8 0-0 17, Kortney Drake 4 3-6 14, Tasia Jordan 3 1-1 7, Naya Haymon 1 2-2 4, Maddie Paulsen 1 2-3 4, Corey Whitlock 0 0-0 0, Delani Kosner 0 0-0 0, Kendra Hatley 1 1-1 3, Dominique Rodriguez 1 0-0 2. Totals 31 17-24 84.
Halftime - Kirkwood 37, Salkehatchie 33. 3-point goals - Salkehatchie 7 (Igus 4, Alexander 2, Kirkland 1), Kirkwood 5 (Drake 3, Hodges-Johnson 1, Watson 1).
