The William Jewell College Women's Basketball Team was fueled by a 15-2 second half run in their 75-58 Great Lakes Valley Conference opener over Rockhurst University on Thursday night in Kansas City, Mo. The Cardinals improve to 4-2, 1-0 GLVC with the win as the Hawks fall to 4-3, 0-1 GLVC.

Maddie Nelson led Jewell again for the second straight game in scoring as she poured in 18 points and grabbed a game high 12 rebounds. 

Nelson ignited much of the Cardinals second half, scoring 14 of her 18 in the period. Nelson was highly efficient, going 6 for 11 from the field.

While Jewell led throughout the second half, Rockhurst did make it interesting in the first half as they kept things in reach by holding the Cards to 35 percent field goal shooting and forcing seven turnovers.  Jewell led 36-32 going into halftime. 

Aerial Smith, Kelsey Nickerson, Katie Finn and Hayli Jo Smith also notched double-figure scoring, as Finn, Nikerson and Hayli Jo chipped in with 12, while Aerial Smith added 10. Aerial also dished out a game high 10 assists and had four steals on the night. 

Rockhurst was led by Mary Dineen's 21 points in defeat.  Dineen connected on an impressive 5-9 from beyond the arc.

The Cardinals will return to action on Sunday as they travel to Warrensburg, Mo., to take on University of Central Missouri at 1:30 p.m.