Kirkwood News
Men's Basketball - Sat, Mar 20, 2010
Tyler Loring:  Correspondent
The Gazette
By Tyler Loring

Correspondent

DANVILLE, Ill. - The title run ended two victories short for No. 2 seed Kirkwood.

Lincoln defeated the Eagles, 62-50, last night in the semifinal round of the men's NJCAA Division II tournament in Danville, Ill. Kirkwood had defeated Lincoln, 81-75 in overtime, at the John Wood Classic in Quincy, Ill., back in November.

After Kirkwood and Lincoln traded baskets early, the Eagles opened a five-point midway through the first half and maintained that until late in the period when Lincoln made a run that sent the times into halftime tied at 27-27.

Richie Thompson was a key contributor to the Eagles' offensive production in the first half and hit the boards hard at both ends of the court.

The Eagles dominated the boards in the first half, picking up several easy putbacks.

Kirkwood freshman forward Trevell Rivers left the game with a bloody nose three minutes into the second half, delaying the game for nearly five minutes as blood was cleaned from the floor.

Figurative blood was shed a short while later, when Lincoln opened a 10-point lead on a 3-point basket. The Eagles trailed by at least six points the majority of the second half and trailed by double digits again with less than five minutes remaining.

Thompson scored 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds for the Eagles (27-8).

Kaylon Williams made 3 of 6 3-pointers and added 13 points and four assists.

Kirkwood plays Lewis & Clark (27-8) at 5:30 p.m.

today in the third-place game.