The William Jewell College women's basketball team overcame a one point first-half deficit and the defense recorded six steals and 11 forced turnovers in claiming a 58-55 victory over Newman University Sunday in Wichita, Kan. 

Senior Aerial Smith led the way with 17 points and added four rebounds and two steals. Christian Benton-Keys filled the box score with 11 points, and six rebounds.

The Cardinals (5-3) used a strong second half to earn the win, handing the Jets (3-5) their third loss at home this season. 

Kesha Buckner was the only Jet to finish in double figures with 15 points.  Buckner scored 10 first half points but was held to only five in the second half. 

The Cardinal defense held Newman to 28 percent shooting in the second half after it hit 40 percent of its shots in the first 20 minutes.

The first half featured five ties and five lead changes before the Jets went into the locker room up 32-31 at the half.  Newman would lead by six at 41-35 on a layup by Buckner at the 16:15 mark.

From there, the Cards fought back and took their first lead of the second half at the 10:25 mark on a lay-up by Logan Antenen.  The Jets were able to tie the game two more times but Jewell held on to the lead the rest of the way despite shooting 7-13 from the foul line in the second half. 

William Jewell ended the day at 42.6 percent (20-of-47) from the field, adding an impressive 7-of-19 showing from three-point land.

Next up for the Cards is a road tilt with NCAA Division I University of Missouri-Kansas City on Saturday, December 20 at 3:30 p.m.