Box Score
Jewell women's basketball opened their season with a 85-68 loss on the road Wednesday at Central Missouri, ranked eighth in the nation in NCAA Division II basketball.

The Jennies took an early 11-4 lead in the game as they built the lead to 17 points at halftime.  The Cards (0-1) scored the first point to open the second half, but UCM went on an 11-2 tear to increase their lead.

A short 6-0 Jewell run and a late 13-5 run were highlights of the second half, but the Cardinals had tough going outside of that. Central Missouri (2-0) shot 51% from the field on the night and outrebounded Jewell 45-31.  In addition, they outcored Jewell 60-38 in the paint.

Chelsea Meeks and Aerial Smith each had 14 points for Jewell, while Maddie Nelson added 11.  Smith had nine rebounds, four steals and three assists.

The Cardinals will play in the Winstead-Reeves Classic at Northwest Missouri State University on Friday and Saturday before opening their home schedule Tuesday night against Pittsburg State at 5:30 p.m.