Metro Sports Report

Short-handed Eagles fall short

Sun - 24 Nov Written by Metro Sports Report

EAST PEORIA, Ill. - The ninth-ranked Kirkwood men's basketball team lost to Illinois Central, 72-66, in a non-conference game Saturday in Illinois.

Devonte Thedford and Seybian Sims, two normal starters for the Eagles, did not play in Saturday's game for unspecified reasons. Luke Appel and Connor Kasperbauer, who helped Kirkwood win the national title last season, did not play due to injuries.

Kirkwood defeated Illinois Central, 87-68, in the season opener Nov. 1 at the SCC tournament in West Burlington.

Jamal Stephenson and DJ Purnell led Kirkwood (5-3) with 16 points. Purnell grabbed 13 rebounds. Niko Gosnell blocked four shots.

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No. 9 Benedictine tops Mount Mercy

Sun - 24 Nov Written by Metro Sports Report

The Mount Mercy men's basketball team lost to ninth-ranked Benedictine, 76-64, in a Heart of America Conference game Saturday at the Hennessey Recreation Center.

Benedictine raised its records to 3-5 overall and 2-1 in the league. Mount Mercy fell to 4-2 overall and 1-1 in the conference.

Davion Watson collected a double-double for the Mustangs with 14 points and 10 rebounds. He also had five assists. Bailey Basala also scored 14 points and Dennis McKinney had 12.

Jayden Temme popped in 20 points for Benedictine. The visitors outscored Mount Mercy by 11 points at the foul line, 16-5, in the 12-point victory.

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Popp paces Mustangs in setback

Sun - 24 Nov Written by Metro Sports Report

The Mount Mercy women's basketball team lost to Benedictine, 84-69, in a Heart of America Conference game Saturday at the Hennessey Recreation Center.

Sofia Popp scored 23 points for the Mustangs, who fell to 1-4 overall and 0-2 in the league. Abbi Kinnaird added 12 points for Mount Mercy.

Skyler Washington scored 14 points to lead a balanced attack for Benedictine (7-1, 2-1).

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KCC volleyball aiming for 9th at nationals

Fri - 22 Nov Written by Metro Sports Report

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - The Kirkwood women's volleyball team won both of its matches in the consolation bracket of the NJCAA Division II national tournament Friday and will play for ninth place Saturday.

The Eagles (28-15) will face Gulf Coast State (23-7) at 8 a.m. in the final match of the consolation round.

Kirkwood began the tournament Thursday with a 3-0 loss to Illinois Central, but the Eagles bounced back with a 3-0 conquest of Mercyhurst North East and a 3-1 victory over Catawba Valley Friday.

Kirkwood, the No. 9 seed, swept Mercyhurst, 25-11, 25-12, 25-20. Anna Gorsich had 12 kills and Aubrin Dittmer had 10. Madi Wagaman collected 19 assists and Rachael Nelson had 17. Maranda Wheelock made 21 digs.

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Mustangs run 21st at NAIA nationals

Fri - 22 Nov Written by Metro Sports Report

VANCOUVER, Wash. - The Mount Mercy women's cross country team placed 21st at the NAIA national meet Friday for the best finish in school history.

The Mustangs' best previous showing was 24th, accomplished in 2001 and 2018.

Vanessa Cortes finished 72nd in the 5K race in 19 minutes, 11.1 seconds to pace Mount Mercy. Emily Erickson was 87th and Andrea Ertz was 90th for the Mustangs.

Hannah Stoffel of Huntington won the women's race in 17:18.4 out of 341 runners. Madonna won the team championship.

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