Freshman Asia Mena of Chicago, Ill., scored 17 points and sophomore Ellie Horn of Newton added 15 as the Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) women's basketball team dropped a 68-60 decision to Kirkwood Community College (KCC) in semifinals of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region XI Division II Women's Basketball Championship March 9 at Mason City.

The loss ended the season for the Bears, who closed at 16-15.

KCC, which defeated DMACC in all three matchups between the two teams this season, led throughout the game. The Eagles had a 23-17 advantage at the end of the first quarter and led 35-32 at halftime. They had a 57-48 lead at the end of the third quarter.

DMACC shot just 24 percent in the game, hitting 15 of 62 field goal attempts. The Bears were 7-of-29 from three-point range and 23-of-26 from the free throw line.

KCC had a 45-39 advantage on the boards with sophomore Grace Stalzer of Zearing pulling down 13 rebounds to lead DMACC. Horn had six and sophomore Emma Rouse of Boone and freshman Sameria Jackson of Houston, Texas, had five apiece. Freshman Shailece Porter of Walthill, Neb., dished out a team-high four assists and Jackson, sophomore Aliyah Robinson of Waterloo and Rouse had two steals apiece. Horn topped DMACC in blocked shots with three.