No. 1 Kirkwood women nipped in opener
MetroSportsReport.com
SEDALIA, Mo. - The streak is over.
The Kirkwood women's basketball team was trimmed by Iowa Western, 55-52, in the first game of the season Friday in the opening round of the State Fair Classic in Sedalia, Mo.
Kirkwood won all 37 of its games last season on its way to the NJCAA Division II national title, but the Eagles ran into a talented Division I team Friday that features an international roster.
Kirkwood is ranked No. 1 in NJCAA Division II and Iowa Western is ranked No. 18 in NJCAA Division I.
The Eagles led, 31-23, at halftime and took a slim 46-45 lead into the final quarter, but the Reivers outscored the Eagles 10-6 in the final 10 minutes to claim the victory.
Awal Ajak led Kirkwood with 15 points. Leah Robinson contributed 10 points and six rebounds. Christmas Puok also had six rebounds.
Jazza Johns led Iowa Western with 12 points.
Iowa Western features players from French Guiana, Spain, Canada, Zimbabwe, Sweden and the United States.
KIRKWOOD (52): Wilson 1 0-2 2, Puok 0 2-2 2, Axcell 1 0-0 2, Hurst 0 0-0 0, Ajak 5 3-3 15, Taylor 2 2-2 6, Robinson 5 0-0 10, Mullinnix 0 0-0 0, Mensen 1 0-0 2, Coleman 1 0-0 2, Usher 4 0-0 9, Wooldridge 1 0-0 2. Totals 21 7-9 52.
IOWA WESTERN (55): Jackson 4 0-0 10, Williams 2 1-2 6, Alnatas 4 0-0 9, Ania-Gaja 4 0-0 10, Pardo 0 0-0 0, Nyauchi 0 0-0 0, Johns 5 2-4 12, Bull 1 0-0 2, Raflund 0 0-0 0, Dallman 3 0-0 6. Totals 23 3-755.
Halftime - Kirkwood 31, Iowa Western 23. 3-point goals - Kirkwood 3 (Ajak 2, Usher 1), Iowa Western 6 (Jackson 2, Ania-Gaja 2, Williams 1, Alnatas 1).
