Metro Sports Report

Lindstrom sizzles at NAIA race

James Lindstrom took a bow, raised his arms in celebration and hugged everyone in sight.

It was a fitting conclusion to a near-perfect day for the talented senior from Apple Valley, Calif.

Lindstrom became the first runner from Mount Mercy to earn All-American honors when he finished sixth at the NAIA national cross country meet at Seminole Valley Park on Friday.

Nobody else from Mount Mercy had ever finished in the top-30 until Lindstrom ran the race of his life, slashing more than 82 seconds off his previous-best with an astonishing performance.

"I can't believe I did that," he said after taking another curtain call before teammates and friends. "It's still going through my head. But it feels amazing, I can tell you that right now."

Nobody from Mount Mercy had ever cracked the top-30 at an NAIA national meet until Lindstrom came along.

KCC men knock off John Wood

QUINCY, Ill. - The Kirkwood men's basketball defeated John Wood, 82-63, in a non-conference game Saturday night.

Allante Pickens led the fifth-ranked Eagles with 20 points. Doug Wilson scored 19 points for Kirkwood and Brady Sartorius added 10 markers.

Kirkwood led, 28-23, at halftime.

Tull leads Eagles by Triton

The Kirkwood women's basketball team smothered Triton in the middle quarters Saturday and posted a 76-58 victory in the second round of the Kirkwood Classic at Johnson Hall.

Triton took a 25-17 lead after the first quarter, but the Eagles outscored the visitors 49-14 in the next two periods for an insurmountable 66-39 advantage heading into the final 10 minutes.

Ashley Tull led the second-ranked Eagles with 19 points, six rebounds, three blocked shots and two assists. Mackenzie Jenkins finished with 14 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals. Haley Mullinnix contributed 11 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Mount Mercy men fall to Benedictine

The Mount Mercy men's basketball team lost to Benedictine, 79-65, in a Heart of America Conference game at the Hennessey Recreation Center Saturday afternoon.

The Mustangs trailed by only two points at halftime, 36-34, but the visitors outscored their hosts by 12 points in the second half.

Benedictine dominated the backboards, 39-26, and outscored Mount Mercy 15-7 at the foul line.

Dennis McKinney led the Mustangs with 21 points. Mike Evans scored 14 points and Bailey Basala had 11. Antwain Strong did not play for the  Mustangs.

Adam Kutney led Benedictine with 18 points and 10 rebounds.