Kirkwood Women's Basketball Are National Champions

Joplin, MO- DEFEND & REBOUND! That is what head coach Kim Muhl has built the Kirkwood women's basketball program on. That formula was followed again Saturday night, as the Eagles claimed the program's ninth national title, & second in three years, with a 69-58 victory over Johnson County at the NJCAA DII National Tournament in Joplin, MO. The Eagles entered the championship game as the #2 seed, while Johnson County came into the contest undefeated (34-0) and the #1 seed. Both teams traded baskets early on in the game, however by the first media timeout Kirkwood started to dig their heels in defensively & took an 8-7 lead & would not trail the rest of the game. Kirkwood (35-2) held a 17-12 advantage after a quarter of play & would build on the lead in the second quarter, as they took a 36-25 lead into the locker room at halftime. The Eagles saw their lead cut to 42-37 midway through the third quarter. However, just as they have done all season long, Kirkwood responded with a 14-5 run to close the quarter & build their lead back up to double digits at 56-42 heading into the fourth quarter. Two free throws by freshman Jenna Twedt gave Kirkwood their largest lead at 61-43 with 8:12 remaining in the contest. Johnson County would have one more run as they managed to cut the lead to single digits at 61-52 on a three-point play with 4:38 left. It would not be enough though, as Kirkwood held them at bay & claimed yet another national title with the 69-58 victory. Twedt led the Eagles in scoring with a game-high 18 points. Sophomore Demetria Prewitt also finished in double figures with 13 points & a game-high 9 rebounds. Sophomore Emily Dreckman & freshman Jariah Harris both finished with 8 points. All eight of Harris' points came in a 5:13 stretch in the second quarter where she gave valuable minutes off the bench & helped the Eagles maintain their lead. Sophomore point guard Zhkayla Evans added 7 points, while sophomore Kaylee Corbin & freshman Lizzy Puot both contributed 6 points. Freshman Niaja William rounded out the scoring for the Eagles with 3 points. Although they did not score, sophomore Ellie Etjen & freshman Ellah Kissell contributed valuable minutes in the victory. Three Eagles, Twedt, Prewitt & Corbin, were named to the All-Tournament Team & Twedt was named the Tournament MVP. Muhl received the Lorene Ramsey Coach of the Tournament honors for an NJCAA record ninth time.