Kirkwood women’s basketball wins 8th national championship

PORT HURON, Mich. — Tasia Jordan led Kirkwood to its eighth women’s basketball national title Saturday night at SC4 Fieldhouse, beating Morton, 49-44.

The Eagles were trailing by seven, 36-29, after three quarters. Kirkwood (36-1) went on a 17-2 run to start the final quarter.

Karsyn Stratton started the run with a layup, then Jordan contributed the next 15 points on seven baskets, including an and-one.

Jalyssa Carrasco ended the run with a 3-pointer with 2:16 remaining, but the Eagles led 46-41.

Carrasco made another 3-pointer with 1:41 to play to cut it to two, 46-44. Stratton made 1-of-2 at the foul line with 1:10 to play, and Tati Hodges-Johnson made a pair of free throws with 17 seconds left to provide the final margin.

Kirkwood held Morton (30-3) to 25.5 percent shooting (14 of 55) including 20 percent from the arc (8 of 40). The Eagles also won rebounding 41 to 26, but were hurt by 19 turnovers.

Jordan finished with 16 points, and Stratton and Hodges-Johnson each had 11 points. Ashley Tull had nine points and a game-high 16 rebounds.