No. 1 Kirkwood soars past Spartans

For almost two quarters, the Southwestern Community College women’s basketball team played like a team coming off a road win over a nationally-ranked team.

It didn’t last the full four quarters in a 103-69 loss to NJCAA Division II top-ranked Kirkwood Community College.

The Eagles set the tone for their conference season while the Spartans struggled to keep up with Kirkwood’s athleticism and skill in the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference opener for both teams.

Julanie Carter scored 17 first-half points and seemed destined to carry the Spartans to a fight with its their visiting foe, but in the second half Kirkwood displayed why it is ranked best in Division II.

The two teams traded punches in the first quarter as Carter scored nine points and Southwestern trailed 27-22 after one.

Kirkwood’s Deleyah Harris found her sweet spot on the floor against the Spartan zone. The left corner 3-ball proved lethal to Southwestern. Harris hit three treys from the left corner in the first quarter, and five in the first half on her way to 19 first-half points.

What was a 31-27 game turned sharply in the Eagles’ favor with a 12-0 run early in the second quarter.

The 49-35 halftime lead did not indicate how closely the two competed for most of the first 20 minutes.

The second half was less friendly to the hosts.

The Eagles outscored SWCC 54-34 in the second half. Kirkwood roared out of the locker room, outscoring Southwestern 25-11 to start the quarter as Southwestern faded.

“They played like it (the No. 1 team) and proved it,” Southwestern coach Addae Houston said. “At the same time on our end, we did not come out ready to play in the third quarter.”

Carter finished with 30 and continues to score prolifically. She is scoring 20.8 points per game.

“I think I’m the best scorer out on the court every time I step out so I just shoot with confidence and hope it goes in,” Carter said.

Keaundra Washington added 13, Maleika Carter had seven while Eriayana Frazier and Yaasmyn Spicey scored six each.

UP NEXT — Southwestern (9-5, 0-1) travels to Southeastern Community College (11-6) Wednesday for a 5:30 p.m. tip.

Kirk — Totals — Scoring — Deleyah Harris 8 2-2 23, Simone Goods 7 5-9 19, Awal Ajak 5 2-5 15, Shaneequah Watkins 4 3-4 11, Rylee Voss 4 1-3 9, Tirayah Cotton 2 0-0 5, Megan Axcell 2 0-0 5, Kelsey Achanbach 2 0-0 4, Ashley Hedges 1 2-2 4, Tayana Wilson 0 4-6 4, Olivia Usher 1 1-2 4. FG shooting — 36-63 (57.1 percent). 3-point goals — 11-28 (39.3 percent) Rebounds — 48. Assists — 25. Steals — 7. Blocked shots — 5. Turnovers — 12. Team fouls — 20. Fouled out — None.

Crest —Totals — Scoring — Julanie Carter 30, Keaundra Washington 13, Maleika Carter 7, Eriayana Frazier 6, Yaasmyn Spivey 6, Fallyn Beemer 4 Totals — 49-43-92. FG shooting — 33-67 (53.7 percent). 3-point goals — 8. Team fouls — 16. Fouled out — None.

KIRK (103) — 27 22 31 23

SWCC (69) — 22 13 19 15