WEST BURLINGTON - Tyra Polite has several new tattoos on her arms this season with some colorful stars, the word "blessed" and a tribute to her mother.

She also has a new role with the Kirkwood women's basketball team as one of the go-to players on offense.

Polite scored 20 points Friday and hit a pair of 3-pointers as the third-ranked Eagles topped Danville Community College, 71-47, at the Southeastern Classic in West Burlington.

Polite, a 5-foot-9 guard from Upper Darby, Pa., had several tattoos last year, but she's added a few more and has them up and down both of her lanky arms now.

"I think I'm done for this year," she said with a smile after showing off her artwork.

Kirkwood needed a good performance from Polite in the season opener. It was a choppy affair and the Eagles did not look particularly sharp despite having four returning players and a Division I transfer from Valparaiso University in the starting lineup.

"I thought it was really ugly for a first game," said Coach Kim Muhl. "We looked like wrecks. We guarded all night, but we didn't finish any shots.

"We have to get better," he said. "We aren't good enough right now."

Polite was the only Eagle in double figures. The smooth lefty also collected three steals and three rebounds and was the best player on the floor.

"She's a go-to kid," said Muhl. "She's not afraid to take the big shot."

Polite likes the idea of having more freedom on offense this season.

"A little more of the green light. Just more options," she remarked. "That's great."

All-American forward Ariel Sneed and center Cassidy Clark scored nine points apiece for Kirkwood. Sneed suffered a knee injury this summer and is still rounding into shape.

Muhl used an 11-player rotation and got all 15 members of his varsity into the game. "Our depth helped us," he said. "It had to."

"We definitely wore them down," said Polite. "We just kept pounding them."

Kirkwood will play Lewis & Clark Community College in the second round of the Southeastern Classic Saturday.

DANVILLE (47): Stephenson 1 0-0 2, Riley 1 0-0 3, Kim 0 0-0 0, LeShore 1 0-0 2, Voyles 1 0-0 3, Proffitt 1 0-0 2, Green 5 2-2 13, Jones 4 0-0 8, Ratliff 4 2-2 12, Austin 1 0-0 2, Bridges 0 0-0 0. Totals 19 4-4 47.

KIRKWOOD (71): Sneed 3 2-2 9, Miles 1 0-1 3, Isaac 1 4-4 6, Silva 1 0-0 2, Oberman 2 0-0 6, Sudduth 0 3-4 3, Polite 7 4-6 20, Larson 2 0-1 5, Hutchins 0 0-0 0, Martensen 1 0-0 2, Bockholt 3 0-0 6, Kallenberger 0 0-0 0, Clark 4 1-2 9, Wood 0 0-0 0. Totals 25 14-20 71.

Halftime - Kirkwood 28, Danville 19. 3-point goals - Danville 5 (Ratliff 2, Riley 1, LeShore 1, Green 1), Kirkwood 7 (Polite 2, Oberman 2, Sneed 1, Miles 1, Larson 1). Fouled out - none.