SEDALIA, Mo. - The second-ranked Kirkwood women's basketball team made  six straight free throws in the final minute Friday to trim Butler  Community College, 67-59, in the season opener at the State Fair  Classic.

The Eagles were clinging to a 61-59 lead with 37 seconds remaining  when they began their successful march to the foul line to secure the  victory.

Amara Lipsey hit three 3-pointers and scored 11 points to lead a  balanced attack for Kirkwood. Paige Bradford, Marissa Metz and Kortney  Drake scored eight points apiece.

Natalie Tomaszewski grabbed seven rebounds and blocked five shots for  the Eagles. Jheda Kennedy had four assists.

KIRKWOOD (67): Paige Bradford 2-3 4-6 8, Tatiana Hodges-Johnson 2-4  1-4 5, Ju Gaston 0-4 6-8 6, Amara Lipsey 3-7 2-2 11, Marissa Metz 3-7  1-2 8, Delani Harris 1-8 4-4 7, Jheda Kennedy 0-1 0-0 0, Kortney Drake  2-8 4-4 8, Addison Rath 0-0 2-2 2, Natalie Tomaszewski 3-4 0-0 6,  Kemara Watson 1-2 4-4 6, Britney Smith 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 17-48 28-36 67.

Halftime - Kirkwood 28, Butler 27. 3-point goals - Kirkwood 5 (Lipsey  3, Metz 1, Harris 1).