December 2, 2024
#1 Kirkwood Dominates Iowa Western
Council Bluffs, IA-
Kirkwood 66
Iowa Western 26
If you ask any college basketball coach the following question "What's the one constant thing about road games?" they will tell you "Defense Travels!"
That was definitely the case for top ranked Kirkwood (8-0 / 1-0) when they headed west and defeated Iowa Western 66-26 Saturday afternoon in Council Bluffs.
Kirkwood got off to a sluggish start offensively as Iowa Western led 6-5 at the first media timeout.
The Eagles kicked things into high gear as they would score the next 12 straight points to lead 18-6 after a quarter of play.
A three pointer by sophomore Jenna Twedt with 3:52 remaining in the half extended the Eagles' lead to 20 at 29-9.
Sophomore Lizzy Puot's layup late in the second quarter gave Kirkwood a 34-11 lead at halftime.
The second half was similar to the first half, as the Eagles continued to force Iowa Western into turnovers and Kirkwood capitalized on them.
For the game, the Eagles scored 31 points off 34 Iowa Western turnovers.
Kirkwood's defense also held the Reivers to a season low in points (26), field goal percentage (24.3%) and they outscored Iowa Western 38-4 in the paint.
Twedt led a balanced Eagles scoring attack with 12 points, six assists and five steals.
Sophomore Kayilah Sain added 11 points, three blocks and three steals.
Puot and sophomore Ella Pritchard both finished with seven points each.
Sophomore Jariah Harris & freshman Eva Steffensen each chipped in six points a piece. Harris led the Eagles in rebounding with eight boards.
The Eagles return home Wednesday, as they host Iowa Central at 5:30 pm in Johnson Hall in another ICCAC matchup.
Link to box score:
