KIRKWOOD RALLY FALLS SHORT IN SEMIS

PORT HURON, Mich. - Great rally. Tough loss.

The Kirkwood women's basketball team lost to CCBC-Essex, 66-59, in the semifinals of the NJCAA Division II national tournament Friday.

Kirkwood (31-3) will face Harcum (27-2) in the consolation game for third place Saturday at 4 p.m.

The Eagles trailed by 16 points, 41-25, early in the third quarter, but they roared all the way back and tied the game, 53-53, on a 3-pointer by Emily Dreckman with 3:35 left in the game.

Baltimore County-Essex responded with an 8-0 run for a 61-53 advantage to regain control.

Demetria Prewitt led Kirkwood with 13 points. Jada Devine scored 12. Alycia Patterson had nine points and six rebounds. Tasia Jordan finished with eight points and shot 3-for-12 from the field.

Richard Bland College trimmed Harcum, 79-76, in overtime in the other semifinal Friday and will face CCBC-Essex in the finals Saturday night.

Kirkwood was seeking the ninth national title in school history. Baltimore County-Essex won both of its meetings with Kirkwood this season, including a 59-54 victory in late December.