Metro Sports Report

KCC volleyball swept at national meet

Fri - 22 Nov Written by Metro Sports Report

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - The Kirkwood women's volleyball team was swept by Illinois Central, 3-0, in the opening round of the NJCAA Division II national tournament Thursday at the Charleston Civic Center.

Kirkwood (26-15) will face Mercyhurst North East (19-8) in a consolation match Friday at 11 a.m. as it tries to battle back for ninth place in the 16-team tournament.

Kirkwood is seeded No. 9 for the national tournament and Illinois Central is No. 8, but the Eagles were swept 25-15, 25-21, 25-20.

Anna Gorsich had 12 kills for Kirkwood. Madi Wagaman and Rachael Nelson had 13 assists. Olivia Richards made 16 digs and Maranda Wheelock had 14. Maggie Peters blocked five shots.

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Kirkwood sophomore Griffen Clark prepares to catch a pass during Wednesday night's 64-48 victory over John Wood College at Johnson Hall. Clark hit four 3-pointers and scored 12 points. (MSR photo by Margaret O'Banion)

Clark sparks No. 9 Eagles by John Wood

Thu - 21 Nov Written by Jim Ecker

Griffen Clark learned what it takes to win a national championship last season as a freshmen when the Kirkwood Eagles captured the NJCAA Division II national crown.

Now Clark is trying to impart some of that wisdom into this year's team as a sophomore.

"I would say the biggest thing about last year is how together you have to be as a team, especially when things get tough: How do you respond?," he remarked Wednesday night.

"And I think we learned how important leadership is, to have guys in the locker room who are going to keep everything under control. When things are going well, keep them going well, and when they're not going well, turn it around."

Clark helped turn things around Wednesday for Kirkwood when he popped in three straight 3-pointers in less than three minutes to help the ninth-ranked Eagles pull away from John Wood College and post a 64-48 victory at Johnson Hall.

The Eagles (5-2) were clinging to a 44-42 lead with less than nine minutes left. His three triples ignited a 16-0 run as Kirkwood took command at 60-42 and pulled out of danger.

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No. 1 KCC women beat Loras JV

Thu - 21 Nov Written by Metro Sports Report

Amara Lipsey tossed in five 3-pointers and scored 17 points Wednesday night as the top-ranked Kirkwood women's basketball team defeated the Loras junior varsity, 96-54, at Johnson Hall.

The Eagles (7-0) scored 18 straight points in the second quarter and opened a 54-25 bulge at halftime.

Kemara Watson scored 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds for Kirkwood. Tatiana Hodges-Johnson posted a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Ju Gaston and Delani Harris also scored 10 points.

Ashley Funk popped in 25 points for Loras with five 3-pointers.

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No. 1 KCC women crush No. 9 Illinois Central

Sun - 17 Nov Written by Metro Sports Report

Paige Bradford and Kortney Drake collected double-doubles Saturday as the top-ranked Kirkwood women's basketball team belted No. 9 Illinois Central, 74-45, in the second round of the Kirkwood Classic at Johnson Hall.

Bradford finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds for her second double-double of the tournament. Drake pitched in with 10 points and 10 rebounds as the Eagles raised their record to 6-0 by winning their third tournament of the campaign.

Amara Lipsey hit three 3-pointers and notched 11 points for Kirkwood. Jheda Kennedy contributed six assists. Bradford blocked three shots.

Kirkwood outscored Illinois Central, 23-7, in the second quarter to take a commanding 40-20 lead at halftime.

Summer Stoewer scored nine points for Illinois Central (3-4).

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Dennis McKinney poured in seven 3-pointers and scored 26 points Saturday as Mount Mercy whipped Evangel, 85-77, at the Hennessey Recreation Center. (MSR photo by Margaret O'Banion)

McKinney shines for Mount Mercy

Sun - 17 Nov Written by Metro Sports Report

Dennis McKinney popped in seven 3-pointers and scored 26 points Saturday as Mount Mercy defeated Evangel, 85-77, in the Heart of America Conference opener at the Hennessey Recreation Center.

McKinney went 7-for-11 from distance and also grabbed nine rebounds in his stellar performance. Bailey Basala tossed in four 3-pointers for the Mustangs and finished with 16 points.

RoyShawn Webb contributed 12 points, six rebounds and six assists as Mount Mercy raised its overall record to 4-1. Streeter McIlravey finished with 10 points. Davion Watson had eight points and seven rebounds.

The Mustangs led by 19 points with 13:45 remaining and held on for the eight-point victory.

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