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CRESTON – Southwestern Community College hosted No. 1 Kirkwood Saturday afternoon. The Eagles jumped out to a 28-6 lead after the first quarter on their way to defeating Southwestern 78-55.
SWCC falls to 7-5 (2-2) on the season. Kirkwood improves to 11-0 (4-0). Southwestern heads to Norfolk, Neb., on Wednesday where the Spartans will face Northeast Community College (4-7).
Alyssa Morris led the Spartan effort with 24 points, including five triples. Morris also had 11 rebounds. Whynter Waterhouse-Brennan had 13 points and five rebounds
Eagle forward Ashley Tull led the scoring effort and rebounding effort with 18 points and 12 boards. A trio of Kirkwood players also recorded a double digit score: Karsyn Stratton with 17, Tasia Jordan with 12 and Kortney Drake with 10. Tull also had a game high seven blocks.
After getting the first 22 points of the game, Kirkwood led 49-19 at halftime.
The Eagles led 66-40 after three quarters.
SWCC finished the night 17-of-52 from the floor with nine 3-point baskets, and Kirkwood made 33-of-66 with four 3-point baskets. SWCC was 12-of-14 at the line and Kirkwood was 8-of-15.
Kirkwood 78, SWCC 55
SOUTHWESTERN (FG FT PTS) – Totals – 17 12-14 55. Alyssa Morris 6 7-8 24, Whynter Waterhouse-Brennan 5 0-0 13, Natalia Bochenek 2 0-0 4, Belen Bernier 1 1-2 3, Hannah Smith 1 0-0 3, Kaylynn Tucker 1 0-0 2, Cassidy Nelson 1 0-0 2, Vernae Ramoth 0 2-2 2, Lexi Robinson 0 2-2 2.
KIRKWOOD – Totals – 33 8-15 78. Ashley Tull 7 4-6 18, Karsyn Stratton 8 1-1 17, Tasia Jordan 6 0-2 12, Kortney Drake 3 2-2 10, Tati Hodges-Johnson 4 0-0 9, Dom Rodriguez 3 0-0 7, Corey Whitlock 1 0-0 2, Naya Haymon 1 0-0 2, Jada Devine 0-14 1.