Jordan, Muhl Lead Eagles to Eighth Championship
PORT HURON, Mich. - Kirkwood (36-1) rallied to their eighth NJCAA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship last week in Port Huron, Mich. The Eagles won four-straight games on their way to their first championship since 2017.
The No. 1 seed's opening round began with a 30-point win over No. 16 seeded Dakota-Bottineau and a 23-point quarterfinal drubbing of No. 8 North Central Missouri. They continued their dominant play in the semifinals, blowing by Bryant & Stratton (Wisc.), 69-41. In their first three games, the Eagles average margin of victory was 27 points.
In the championship game, Kirkwood matched up against the No. 1 defense in the country and No. 7 seed Morton (Ill.). The Panthers had upset the No. 2 seed Johnson County (Kan.) and No. 3 seed Baltimore County-Essex (Md.) on their way to the finals.
Kirkwood trailed 36-29 entering the fourth period but sophomore Tasia Jordan scored 15 straight points for the Eagles in that final stanza to lift her team into a 46-38 lead with 2:36 remaining.
Morton hit consecutive three-pointers to pull within 46-44 with 1:41 left, but Morton did not score again and the Eagles hit three free throws to clinch the crown. Kirkwood outscored Morton, 20-8, in the final period.
Jordan scored 16 points in just 15 minutes of action and was named the Tournament MVP.
Karsyn Stratton and Tatiana Hodges-Johnson netted 11 points apiece for the Eagles. Ashley Tull snared 16 rebounds and contributed nine points.
Tull and Kortney Drake joined Jordan on the All-Tournament Team.
NJCAA Championship Website
Championship - Kirkwood def. Morton, 49-44 - Box Score
Semfinals - Kirkwood def Bryant & Stratton, 69-41 - Box Score
Quarterfinals - Kirkwood def. North Central Missouri, 72-49 - Box Score
First Round - Kirkwood def. Dakota-Bottineau, 77-47 - Box Score