March 6, 2022
STRONG FINISH SENDS EAGLES TO REGIONAL TITLE
The top-ranked Kirkwood women's basketball team pulled away from No. 8 Iowa Western in the fourth quarter Sunday to win the regional title. 65-44, at Johnson Hall.
The Eagles strangled Iowa Western, 17-2, in the fourth quarter. The Reivers made two free throws with 7:43 left in the final stanza and did not score for the rest of the game.
Kirkwood was clinging to a 42-41 lead late in the third quarter, but Tasia Jordan scored two baskets to help the Eagles grab a 48-42 edge heading into the fourth period.
Jordan scored again and Kelsey Drake popped in a 3-pointer, giving Kirkwood an 11-point lead at 53-42. Iowa Western made its two free throws to pull within 53-44, but the Eagles scored the last 12 points for the final comfortable margin.
Kirkwood (32-1) will be the top seed for the NJCAA Division II national tournament in Port Huron, Mich., from March 15-19. Iowa Western finished the season at 22-8 with three losses to Kirkwood.
Kirkwood Coach Kim Muhl will be seeking his 8th national title this month. His career record in 33 years is 980-167.
Jordan and Jada Devine led a balanced attack Saturday with 12 points. Jordan also had six rebounds and five blocked shots. Ashley Tull finished with 11 points and eight rebounds. Tatiana Hodges-Johnson grabbed 10 rebounds and scored eight points. Corey Whitlock had four steals.
Courtney Fields scored 17 points for Iowa Western.
Tull, Drake and Karsyn Stratton made the all-tournament team for Kirkwood. Tull was named the ICCAC Player of the Year and Muhl was named the Coach of the Year.
