Posted: Mar 17, 2026

Eagles Surge Past CCBC Essex, Advance to National Quarterfinals

Hickory, NC- The #6 seed Kirkwood Eagles Women's Basketball team made a strong opening statement on the national stage Monday night, defeating #11 seed CCBC Essex 68-50 in the first round of the NJCAA Division II National Tournament in Hickory, North Carolina.

Kirkwood set the tone early and never let up, using a dominant first quarter and a decisive third-quarter surge to pull away from a CCBC Essex squad that entered the tournament with just one loss on the season.

Fast Start Sets the Tone

The Eagles came out locked in from the opening tip, jumping out to a 19-9 lead after the first quarter. Their defensive pressure immediately disrupted CCBC Essex, holding them to just 22% shooting in the opening period.

Olivia Wren led the early charge, finishing with a team-high 14 points while adding five assists. Erianna Moeschter provided an efficient interior presence, going 6-of-7 from the field for 13 points.

Responding to the Push

CCBC Essex battled back in the second quarter, outscoring Kirkwood 23-13 to trim the deficit to 32-32 at halftime. Despite the run, the Eagles stayed composed and continued to find balanced production across the lineup.

Kennedy Blakely contributed 10 points and six rebounds, while Whitney Sullivan added eight points and eight boards, helping stabilize the Eagles through the stretch.

Third Quarter Separation

Coming out of halftime, Kirkwood delivered its most dominant stretch of the game.

The Eagles exploded for 24 points in the third quarter while holding CCBC Essex to just 10, turning a tied game into a double-digit advantage they would not relinquish. Kirkwood shot over 60% from the field in the quarter, showcasing their offensive efficiency and ball movement.

Bra'Ja Torry played a key role in facilitating the offense, finishing with six assists, while the Eagles as a team totaled 18 assists on 24 made field goals.

Closing It Out

Kirkwood maintained control in the fourth quarter, leaning on their defense and depth to finish off the 18-point victory.

The Eagles forced 17 turnovers and turned them into 17 points, while also getting 19 points from their bench—highlighting the depth that has been a strength all season.

Defensively, they held CCBC Essex to just 26% shooting from the field and 15% from three-point range, putting together one of their most complete performances of the year.