#18 Eagles Hang On for Road Win Over Northeast
Norfolk, NE- The #18 Kirkwood Men's Basketball Team delivered a gritty road performance Saturday afternoon in Norfolk, Nebraska, edging the Northeast Community College Hawks 74–72 in a tightly contested ICCAC showdown. The Eagles built an early cushion and withstood a second-half surge from the Hawks, doing just enough down the stretch to secure an important conference victory.
Kirkwood set the tone early, jumping out to a 45–32 halftime lead behind an efficient offensive first half. The Eagles shot the ball well early and moved it effectively to generate quality looks, building momentum in a hostile environment. Northeast responded after the break with a strong second-half push, but Kirkwood's composure allowed it to maintain a narrow edge.
Cole Marsh led all scorers with 19 points, adding six rebounds and three assists while logging heavy minutes on the road. Ben Bockman provided a spark from the perimeter, knocking down four three-pointers and finishing with 12 points. Yaris Irby contributed eight points and a team-high five assists, while multiple Eagles chipped in to keep the offense balanced throughout the afternoon.
Depth played a major role in the victory, as Kirkwood's bench outscored Northeast 27–2. That production proved critical as the Hawks closed the gap late. Despite Northeast shooting well in the second half, the Eagles made timely stops and protected the ball enough to hang on for the two-point win.
Next Up
The Eagles are back in action tonight, traveling to Marshalltown Community College for another ICCAC matchup. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. as Kirkwood looks to build on its road success.