Spartans challenge No. 2 Eagles

Take away a rash of fouls and Kirkwood free throws late in the first half, and who knows what kind of monumental upset it could have been for the Southwestern men Saturday against the nation’s second-ranked team.

Kirkwood, now 16-1 for the season and 6-1 in ICCAC Division II play, scored 13 straight points from the free throw line in building a 30-26 halftime lead. For the game, the Eagles were 30-of-39 at the line, while Southwestern was just 7-12 in the 60-54 loss.

It was a stellar defensive effort against an Eagles team averaging 78.7 points per game, but the Spartan offense wasn’t able to overcome the difference at the foul line.

“It mainly came down to fouls and missed layups,” said Spartan coach Darryl Fletcher. “And missed free throws. A lot of their free throws came after offensive rebounds, and you can’t allow teams like that extra opportunities.”

Southwestern was off to a good start with a 16-14 lead, but fouls began to mount up and the Eagles were already in the bonus free throw situation with 7:12 left in the half. Kirkwood ended the half on a 16-10 run, including 13 straight points at the line. Several key Spartans were already saddled with two or three fouls.

The physical defensive style was exactly what Southwestern needed to compete with Kirkwood, which had only lost to Iowa Central on Dec. 4.

“Holding them to 60 will put a little bit more of a target on our back,” Fletcher said. “It comes with a challenge, but I’m excited for them. We’re fighting and scrapping more defensively lately. This is something to build on. They are finally getting the felling that they SHOULD be winning games, so they’re hurting right now. A couple of months ago that might not have been the case. They have passion now. I think we’re in a good spot to really go on a run here.”

Donnary Fontenot, 6-3 sophomore from Atlanta, Georgia, sank four 3-pointers in scoring a team-high 21 points for the Spartans. Thomas Morgan, 6-9 sophomore from Australia, added 10 points. Point guard James Braddy had eight points and five assists.

Tyler Bullock, former SWCC assistant for national champion coach Todd Lorensen, is on the Kirkwood staff as associate head coach.

“It felt weird to be sitting on the other side,” Bullock said.

The Spartans, coming off wins league wins over Iowa Lakes and Northeast (Nebraska) before Saturday’s loss, are 8-11 overall and 3-5 in league play going into Thursday’s home game against Dakota County Technical College.

SOUTHWESTERN (54) — Totals — (FG FT PTS) 19 7-12 54. Donnary Fontenot 8 1-4 21, Thomas Morgan 4 2-2 10, James Braddy 2 2-2 8, Camory Hall 2 0-0 6, Jakub Istok 1 0-0 3, Theo Ohnell 0 2-3 2, Rickey Loftin II 1 0-0 2, Jay Budde 1 0-1 2. FG shooting — 19-49 (38.8 percent). 3-point goals (9-22) — Fontenot 4, Hall 2, Braddy 2, Istok 1. Rebounds — 23 (Istok 5, Morgan 4, Loftin 3, Fontenot 3). Assists — 12 (Braddy 5). Steals — 2 (Fontenot 1, Istok 1). Blocked shots — 3 (Fontenot 1, Jones 1, Morgan 1). Turnovers — 9. Team fouls — 27. Fouled out — Loftin.

KIRKWOOD — (60) — Totals — (FG FT PTS) 13 30-39 60. Lucas Lueth 4 7-10 16, Tate Petersen 2 9-9 14, Colby Dolphin 3 3-4 11, Richard Lindsey Jr 0 7-8 7, James Spencer 1 2-4 4, Germaine Benson 1 2-3 4, Keauntrey Barnes 1 0-0 2, Tyler Netolicky 1 0-1 2. 3-point goals (4-15) — Dolphin 2, Petersen 1, Lueth 1. Rebounds (35) — Spencer 15. Assists (7). Steals (2). Team fouls — 19. Fouled out — None.