December 20, 2024
#1 Kirkwood Holds Off #15 NIACC
Mason City, IA-
Kirkwood 65
NIACC 55
Top ranked Kirkwood overcame their largest deficit of the season thus far on Wednesday night, as they defeated #15 NIACC 65-55 in Mason City.
NIACC scored the first 10 points of the game, as they jumped out to a 10-0 lead just 2:30 into the game.
Following a Kirkwood timeout, the Eagles would finally get on the scoreboard thanks to a three point play by sophomore Kaliyah Sain.
However, field goals were not easy to come by for Kirkwood (12-0 / 5-0) as they struggled from the floor in the first half.
NIACC would own an 18-9 lead after a quarter of play and would extend that lead to 27-13 at the media timeout in the second quarter.
The 14 point deficit was the largest Kirkwood has faced this season.
NIACC managed to connected on 6-16 three pointers in the first half and took a 33-22 into the locker room at halftime.
Kirkwood, who came into the game averaging just 12.4 turnovers/game, had 13 first half turnovers and only connected on 6-25 (24.0%) field goals.
Sometimes the best thing a team can do is flush the first half & regroup at halftime and that is exactly what Kirkwood did.
NIACC led 38-26 after trading baskets in the opening minutes of the third quarter, however a three pointer by sophomore Jenna Twedt started what would be an 18-3 run for the Eagles over the final 6:07 of the quarter.
A three point play by sophomore Ella Pritchard with 1:32 left in the quarter drew the Eagles to within three at 41-38.
Following a steal by Pritchard on the defensive end, sophomore Lizzy Puot knocked down a three pointer from the left corner to tie the game at 41-41 with 1:10 remaining.
Another NIACC turnover gave Kirkwood one last possession of the third quarter and they capitalized on it, as Sain hit a deep three from the top of the key to give the Eagles a 44-41 lead going into the fourth quarter.
Every time NIACC would try to make a run in the fourth quarter Kirkwood had an answer.
NIACC climbed within two points at 46-44, however a three pointer by freshman Olivia Wren extended Kirkwood's lead to 49-44 with 7:24 remaining.
A three pointer by NIACC trimmed Kirkwood's lead down to 49-48, but Twedt answer with a three pointer from the left wing to extend the lead to 52-48 with 5:24 left in the game.
An offensive rebound and put back by Sain with 3:10 remaining gave the Eagles a little more breathing room and extended their lead to 56-50.
The Eagles would hit their free throws down the stretch and come away with the hard fought 65-55 victory.
Sain led the Eagles in scoring with a game high 20 points, while Twedt added 17, including 9-10 from the free throw line.
Puot also finished in double figures with 10 points and a game high eight rebounds.
Pritchard came off the bench to score nine points, while Wren chipped in seven points and sophomore Jariah Harris rounded out the scoring with two points.
The Eagles looked like a different team in the seond half, as they shot 45.6% from the floor and committed only two turnovers following halftime.
Kirkwood will resume play after the Christmas holiday when they take on Kankakee in the first round of the 43rd Annual Cougar Holiday Tournament on the campus of Illinois Central in Peoria, IL on Saturday December 28th.
