March 12, 2023
NO.3 EAGLES CLAIM REGIONAL TITLE
The Kirkwood Eagles built a 20-point lead Sunday and then hung on for dear life.
The third-ranked Eagles held off No. 6 Iowa Western, 62-54, to win the regional title at Johnson Hall Sunday afternoon.
Kirkwood (29-2) earned a spot in the NJCAA Division II women's national tournament March 21-25 in Port Huron, Mich., where Coach Kim Muhl will be aiming to win his ninth national title and second in a row.
The Eagles led, 38-18, late in the first half and enjoyed a 40-21 cushion at halftime, but Iowa Western (26-5) scored 17 straight points in the second half to pull within 47-44 with the first basket of the
fourth period.
Zhakyla Evans hit a jumper for Kirkwood to stop the slide and Alicia Patterson nailed a 3-pointer to give the Eagles an eight-point edge at 52-44. Iowa Western pulled within 52-48, but Jada Devine hit a 3-pointer and Patterson nailed a twisting jumper to beat the shot clock for a 57-48 advantage.
The Reivers pulled within 58-54 with 18 seconds remaining, but Devine and Patterson cashed a pair of free throws for the final score.
Devine led Kirkwood for the second straight day with 15 points. Patterson finished with 13. Tasia Jordan was named the tournament MVP.
Ndidiamaka Ndukwe scored 18 points for Iowa Western.
