Another big matchup on the college basketball court comes up on Saturday when second-ranked NIACC hosts top-rated Kirkwood in a women’s basketball. NIACC moved up from number three to number two in this week’s poll and enter the contest at 10-0 overall and 1-0 in conference play.
Kirkwood moved up from number two to number one this week and has a 10-1 record and are 1-0 in the conference after beating 14th-ranked Iowa Central on Tuesday in their conference opener. NIACC leads all junior college Division Two teams with 105.6 points per game, made three-pointers with 123 and in assists per game at just over 23.
Coach Kelli Terrell says they’ll continue their offensive push against Kirkwood. She says they have multiple offensive threats and they expect Kirkwood to try and slow them down, but the extra days of preparation have allowed them to continue working on their running game.
Terrell says she’s enjoyed working with this year’s team. “It’s neat to see the sophomores develop from their freshman year to their sophomore year and take that leadership role…that’s the most fun part for me, to see how they develop,” Terrell says. NIACC will be looking to snap Kirkwood’s 28-game winning streak in the series, with the Lady Trojans’ last win coming in February 2000.
Tipoff in Mason City is scheduled for 1 o’clock Saturday afternoon
By Bob Fisher, KRIB, Mason City