By Darrin Cline

Correspondent

PEORIA, Ill. - For the seventh time, Kirkwood will play for the NJCAA Division II women's national championship.

Led by 15 points from Staci Gillum and 12 points from Kari Goodchild, the top-ranked Eagles defeated fifth-ranked Schoolcraft, 58-44, last night in a rematch of last year's national championship game.

"We were able to take them out of their game and we controlled the tempo," Goodchild said.

Kirkwood jumped to a 21-12 lead and carried the momentum into the break with a 33-21 edge after a deep Goodchild trey.

Schoolcraft came out firing in the second half and trimmed the deficit to six points before Kirkwood found its groove again.

"We handled the defensive pressure well and we were able to get open. We were able to find options," Gillum said.

Distribution and execution continued to be the Eagles' calling card. Eight players scored and the team shot nearly 50 percent from the field.

Andi Waugaman continued her strong post season performance with seven points and seven rebounds.

Danielle Hellickson and Kalli Hansen scored eight and seven points, respectively.

Kirkwood used its defensive prowess to keep Schoolcraft on its heels, forcing it to abandon its interior attacking offense and shoot from outside.

Schoolcraft shot just 26 percent for the game.

"They are a very athletic team," said Kirkwood Coach Kim Muhl.

"We had to get rebounds and stop dribble penetra­tion." Muhl and the Eagles will try to win a fourth consecutive national title tonight at 8 against Pat­rick Henry. Kirkwood could tie Illinois Central with six national championships, the most in NJCAA Divi­sion II.