Kirkwood rallies past Southwestern
CEDAR RAPIDS — Kirkwood’s second-ranked men’s team awoke from a lackluster opening 15 minutes Saturday night, and Southwestern paid the price.
“We were up 24-17 with five minutes to go in the first half, then they went on an 18-0 run to end the half,” said Spartan coach Jerry Drymon. “They started playing better, and we had some bad possessions. Against them, that’s all it takes.”
Kirkwood improved to 20-1 overall and 7-0 to lead the ICCAC Division II standings with a 73-55 victory. Southwestern fell to 11-6 and 2-3 in conference play.
“They beat Iowa Western and Indian Hills, and they are 8- against Division I opponents,” Drymon said. “Their only loss was to Illinois Central at home by five early in the season.”
Coming off a 26-point performance against Iowa Central, Southwestern 6-10 sophomore post player Anthony Davis was held to six points Saturday.
“They were physical with Anthony and doubled him when he caught the ball,” Drymon said. “They are a great defensive team, only allowing 62.1 points a game, while they’re scoring 81 a game. Our defense wasn’t bad. We just turned the ball over too many times. Against them that is a killer. They punish you for your mistakes.”
Tyler Raasch scored 12 points for Southwestern, including three 3-pointers. Inside, Royce Phillips and Laurice Ellison each tallied 10 points.
KIRKWOOD (73) — DaRell Crittendon 8 5-5 22, Ali Farokhmanesh 6 3-3 18, Corey Viet 3 1-3 11, Bryant Kucera 2 5-5 9, Jermain Davis 2 0-0 5, Matt Banzhaf 2 0-0 4, Bryce Brunz 1 0-0 2, Kendall Burrage 0 1-2 1, Ardale Tillman 0 1-2 1. Totals — 25 17-20 73. 3-point goals — 6 (Farokhmanesh 3, Davis 1, Crittendon 1, Viet 1). Rebounds — 33. Turnovers — 17. Team fouls — 19. Fouled out — Davis.
SOUTHWESTERN (55) — Tyler Raasch 4 1-2 12, Laurice Ellison 4 2-4 10, Royce Phillips 5 0-2 10, Terrance Morgan 3 1-2 7, Anthony Davis 2 2-3 6, Ryckey Harper 1 2-4 4, Drew Godwin 0 2-2 2, Kristian Williams 1 0-2 2, Chris Santiago 1 0-0 2. Totals — 21 10-21 55. 3-point goals — 3 (Raasch 3). Rebounds — 24 (Davis 5). Assists — Morgan 5, Raasch 5. Steals — Raasch 2, Morgan 2. Blocked shots — Ellison 1, Davis 1. Turnovers — 21. Team fouls — 17. Fouled out — None.
Kirkwood — 35 73
SWCC — 24 55
