Box Score Seventh-ranked and defending NCAA Divisioin II champion Drury had their hands full with William Jewell in men's basketball Saturday, as the Cardinals stayed close to the Panthers but faded down the stretch 79-56.

The Cardinals (6-9 and 2-5 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference) never led in the game. but pulled to within two points at one point in the first half and trailed by only eight points at the intermission.

Drury (14-1, 6-1) shot 55% from the field to the Jewell 35% mark, and outrebounded the Cardinals 44-24.  Jewell was playing without starting post man Clint McCullough, who suffered an ankle sprain against Missouri S&T on Thursday.

Jordan Lewis was the only double-figure scorer for the Cardinals, as he had 0 points.  Cyril Bilong, starting for McCullough, and D'Vante Mosby each had nine points and five rebounds.

Jewell hit 8-25 three-pointers and Drury hit 12 of 22 threes.

The Cardinals return home Thursday night to take on GLVC West opponent Quincy University, with tipoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m.