Metro Sports Report

No. 1 Eagles claim opener for Sandquist

WEST BURLINGTON - The top-ranked Kirkwood men's basketball team  defeated Illinois Central, 87-68, in the season opener Friday night to  give Tim Sandquist his first victory as head coach at the SCC Classic  in West Burlington.

Devonte Thedford led the Eagles with 17 points and five assists for  the defending NJCAA Division II national champions. Seybian Sims and  Jamal Stevenson netted 12 points apiece for Kirkwood. Newcomer DJ  Purnell contributed 10 points and eight rebounds.

Griffen Clark and Stephenson were both 3-for-4 on 3-pointers. Niko  Gosnell blocked three shots for Kirkwood.

Fred Cottrell led Illinois Central with 16 points.

No. 2 KCC women hold off Butler

SEDALIA, Mo. - The second-ranked Kirkwood women's basketball team made  six straight free throws in the final minute Friday to trim Butler  Community College, 67-59, in the season opener at the State Fair  Classic.

The Eagles were clinging to a 61-59 lead with 37 seconds remaining  when they began their successful march to the foul line to secure the  victory.

Amara Lipsey hit three 3-pointers and scored 11 points to lead a  balanced attack for Kirkwood. Paige Bradford, Marissa Metz and Kortney  Drake scored eight points apiece.

Mount Mercy women spike Graceland

LAMONI - Kayla Daggett dished out 28 assists Friday night as the Mount  Mercy women's volleyball team swept Graceland, 25-18, 25-16, 25-16, in  a Heart of America Conference match on the road.

Daggett ranks sixth in NAIA women's volleyball this season with 1,148 assists.

The victory lifted Mount Mercy to 19-11 overall and 9-8 in the  conference. Graceland fell to 10-23 overall and 5-12 in the league.

Tough fourth quarter dooms Mustangs

LA CROSSE, Wis. - The Mount Mercy women's basketball team scored only  one point in the fourth quarter Friday and lost to Viterbo, 62-47, in  the season opener.

The Mustangs led 46-45 after three periods, but they were outscored  17-1 in the final stanza to fall by the wayside.

Abbi Kinnaird led Mount Mercy off the bench with 15 points on five  3-pointers. Brianna Thomas scored 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds.

Alyssa Nilssen scored 19 points for Viterbo.