Council Bluffs, Iowa

 A fast start for the visitors in a battle of undefeated teams proved to be the difference Saturday at Reiver Arena.

Kirkwood (4-0) doubled up Iowa Western (3-1) in the 1st quarter and never looked back in a 73-55 victory for the Eagles.

"I felt like we didn't come out ready to go", said Head Coach Lindsey Vande Hoef, "We gave up way too many wide-open looks and struggled in areas we haven't struggled in this season."

Kortney Drake scored a game-high 19 for the visitors as the Reivers played catch-up from the go.

Despite a double-double from Gabriella Smith (10 pts./10 rebs.) and 17 points off the bench from Dustie Obah, Iowa Western could never close the substantial gap.

"Dustie came out and gave us some good looks and Gabi had a nice game, but Kirkwood definitely exposed some of our weaknesses", added Vande Hoef, "We need other players to step up and we need to play better team basketball and we need to figure it out fast.  We have a big week with three key games on the schedule."

The Reivers play on the road at Northeast, NIACC, and Moberly Area before returning home with the tilt with the Hawks coming on Wednesday night in Norfolk, Nebraska.  That game can be viewed here - team1sports.com/northeastcc/

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