Metro Sports Report

Kirkwood players react with dismay after NIACC scored at the final buzzer to beat them, 76-74, in the regional semifinals at Johnson Hall Thursday night. (MSR photo by Margaret O'Banion)

No. 12 NIACC ousts No. 9 Eagles at buzzer

Fri - 06 Mar Written by Jim Ecker

Luke Appel and Niko Gosnell, a pair of big men with big goals this season, sat on a bench in the hallway outside the Kirkwood locker room Thursday night and cried after an excruciating loss ended their season.

Gosnell put his hand on Appel's shoulder, trying to console his buddy, and they finally got up and disappeared inside, no doubt to shed a few more tears.

Kirkwood's goal of winning back-to-back national titles ended in the regional semifinals at Johnson Hall, but not for lack of effort or emotion.

Deundra Roberson hit a shot near the basket as time expired to snap a 74-74 tie and give 12th-ranked NIACC a devastating 76-74 victory over No. 9 Kirkwood in a tense battle marred by 45 fouls in 40 minutes of basketball.

NIACC (25-6) will face fifth-ranked DMACC (28-4) in the regional finals Saturday for a spot in the NJCAA Division II national tournament. That's where Kirkwood desperately wanted to be, but the Eagles had to settle for a 24-6 final mark.

The tears flowed in abundance.

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No. 4 KCC women sail in regional opener

Thu - 05 Mar Written by Metro Sports Report

The fourth-ranked Kirkwood women's basketball team crushed DMACC, 74-33, in the quarterfinals of the regional tournament at Johnson Hall Wednesday night.

Kirkwood (28-3) will face Southeastern (19-12) in the semifinals Saturday at 3 p.m. in Mason City. Top-ranked NIACC (30-1) will play Iowa Lakes (19-10) in the other semifinal, with the regional finals Sunday at 1 p.m. in Mason City.

Paige Bradford collected 14 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks for Kirkwood. Kemara Watson chipped in with 12 points.

Jada Powell scored 11 points for DMACC (10-20).

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Lambe helps Mustangs slam Bees

Thu - 05 Mar Written by Metro Sports Report

Cael Lambe belted a grand slam in the bottom of the eighth inning Wednesday to help Mount Mercy clip St. Ambrose, 7-3, in a non-conference baseball game at the Plaster Athletic Complex.

The Mustangs trailed, 3-2, heading into the bottom of the eighth. They tied the score, 3-3, before Lambe connected for the game-winner.

The victory left Mount Mercy at 5-7 for the season. St. Ambrose fell to 4-5.

Michael Barbato had two hits for the Mustangs. Collin Shrader scored twice.

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No. 9 Eagles cruise in regional opener

Wed - 04 Mar Written by Metro Sports Report

Devonte Thedford scored 24 points Tuesday night as the ninth-ranked Kirkwood Eagles defeated Little Priest Tribal College, 96-57, in the quarterfinals of the NJCAA Division II regional at Johnson Hall.

Kirkwood (24-5) will host No. 12 NIACC (24-6) in the semifinals Thursday at 7 p.m.

Thedford shot 6-for-8 from the field and was 11-for-12 at the foul line for the Eagles. DJ Purnell collected a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Niko Gosnell added 11 points for the winners.

Kirkwood shot a sizzling 92.3 percent at the foul line, making 36 of 39.

Reynald Laurent scored 20 points for Little Priest Tribal College (6-20).

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Mustang spikers win 9th straight

Wed - 04 Mar Written by Metro Sports Report

CANTON, Mo. - The Mount Mercy men's volleyball team captured its ninth straight victory Tuesday night by sweeping Culver-Stockton, 25-19, 25-17, 25-20, in a Heart of America Conference match in Missouri.

Julian Armendano contributed 12 kills and seven digs for the Mustangs (14-5, 7-3). Evan Gaskill finished with 10 kills and 12 digs.

Ben Ruggles dished out 33 assists. Tiago Almeida had 11 digs. Ben Steffen blocked six shots.

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