Editor’s Note: Due to reporting deadlines, games played on Feb. 19 are not included.
Just two regular season games remain before the 15-1 Bears of Des Moines Area Community College and the 14-2 Eagles of Kirkwood Community College meet on Feb. 26, for the final game of the regular season.
“If both teams win out,” explained Lynn Lueck, Kirkwood’s associate athletic director, “the conference championship will be decided in Boone.” The game also guarantees the winner home court advantage throughout the ICCAC playoffs.
To set up this dramatic showdown, both teams need to win the next two games. The Bears have a tougher schedule, playing road games against Iowa Lakes (8-7) and North Iowa (8-7). The Eagles play at home against Southwestern Community College (4-11) and Iowa Lakes.
“Winning out” is far from assured, especially as the pressure mounts, but both teams are carrying a ton of momentum. The Eagles hold a six-game winning streak while the Bears haven’t lost since Dec. 15.
That Bears’ loss, however, is loaded with significance. It came at the hands of the Eagles, whose defense held the Bears to a season low 53 points. The game also handed the Eagles a tie-breaker advantage should both teams finish tied for first in the conference. That advantage has loomed ever larger as the Eagles nipped at the Bears’ heels through the rest of regular season.
The Bears, currently at the top of the division, hold just a one game lead over the Eagles. If the Eagles win on the road in Boone, both teams would be tied for the conference lead.
By ICCAC rules, the tie would be broken by “head-to-head regular season competition.” An Eagle win in the final game of the season would give the conference title to Kirkwood. It would also hand the Eagles the No. 1 seed in post-season ICCAC tournament play. Tournament games are played at the higher-seeded school. With the top seed, the Eagles would hold home court advantage throughout the tournament.
Are the Eagles feeling the pressure? “We talk about going “1-0” every day, whether that’s in practice, or a game,” said Coach Tim Sandquist. “We don’t look ahead because the biggest game of the season is the one we are getting ready to play.”
Sandquist said the “1-0” concept only works if the players put the team first. “What’s asked of a player in one game may not be asked of them the next,” Sandquist explained. “We’ve been incredibly selfless this year. Players are willing to do whatever the game asks of them in order to win.”
Should both teams win their next two games, the Eagle’s regular season finale against the Bears will have everything a sports fan could want. Mark your calendars for February 26, game time 7:30 p.m.
Fans can live stream the game over the ICCAC Sports Network: https://www.iccacsportsnetwork.com/DMACC/
Categories: Basketball, Sports
