Rockford, IL: The Golden Eagles are off to a great start this season with a 6-1 start, winning six straight games with its last win coming this past weekend to Iowa Community College member Southeastern at the Kirkwood Classic before dropping their last game out to #1 Kirkwood Community College on day two in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This strong start has propelled the Golden Eagles into the top 20 NJCAA DII women's basketball national poll at the #16 spot.

In day one of the Kirkwood Classic Rock Valley would take an early 10 point lead in the 1^st quarter before building their lead to 22 points just before half. The Golden Eagles would go on to win the game by 32 point on the opening night of the Kirkwood Classic 77-45. Rock Valley was led by freshman McKenna Williams with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Freshman's Kiara Brandon and Tatym Coe scored 12 and 10 points respectfully in the game.

Day two would see RVC face off against the defending NJCAA DII National Champions and current #1 team in the country, the Kirkwood Eagles. Kirkwood was riding a 28 game win streak dating back to December 30^th 2021 and had complied a 404-33 record at home under head coach Kim Muhl.

The Golden Eagles would trail the Eagles early in the first quarter before finally tying the game heading into the second quarter 16-16. The second quarter would see the same back and forth slugfest as both RVC and Kirkwood would battle to a 37-38 halftime score. "Our group of ladies were ready for the moment. I feel like we matched the energy that Kirkwood brought and then some." Stated Head Coach Darryl Watkins

In the 3^rd quarter the Golden Eagles would build a seven point lead off a pair of Elli Teubert baskets along with baskets from Carly Lamay and Camron Blank. The Kirkwood Eagles would then battle back to tie the game back with a 7-0 run of their own before finishing the 3^rd quarter on a 17-4 run to take a 6 point leading heading into the 4^th quarter.

In the 4^th Kirkwood would build a 10 point lead before the Golden Eagles would go on a 8-0 run to close the gap to 2 points with 15 seconds remaining in the game before the Eagles would finish the game from the free-throw line and ultimately winning the ball game 69-74. "As a coaching staff we were absolutely proud of how our ladies came into a true road test against a historic program such as Kirkwood and they embraced the moment. This game had a National Tournament feel to it. We fell a little short of our goal but this game definitely has made us better and pushed us in the right direction as we continue to move forward in the season." Stated Coach Watkins

Leaders from the Kirkwood game were sophomore Camron Blank with 15 points 3 assist, freshman Maya Mitchell with 12 points, 3 steals and freshman Carly LaMay with 11 points, 7 assists.

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RVC will be host the Elgin Spartans on Tuesday November 22^nd tip-off is set for 5pm.