The William Jewell College women's basketball team hosted Maryville University on Thursday night in Great Lakes Valley Conference action. The Cardinals ended their two game losing skid 88-85 in an overtime thriller. Jewell improves to 11-7 overall and 6-4 in the GLVC. Maryville falls to 11-8 and 5-5 in GLVC action.
The Cardinals were able to knock down 8 three-pointers in the first half but only hit 35 percent of their shots and led 45-40 at the half. Chris Keys was a strong presence inside and out and had 15 points in the first half.
Maryville cut the lead to four at the 15 minute mark only to see the Cardinals extend the lead to ten on two straight three-pointers.
The Cards built a 65-52 lead halfway through the second half and the Saints did cut the lead to five with 5:41 to play but the Cards built an 8 point lead with 4 minutes to play and seemed on their way to an easy victory. Maryville then went on a 8-0 run to tie the game 72-72 with 2:09 to play.
Keys and
Katie Finn then hit two free throws a piece to put the Cards back on top 76-72 with 1:14 in the game.
The Saints hit two free throws of their own and after a defensive stop Rita Flynn's lay up tied the game at 76-76 with 30 seconds to play. The Saints then stole the ball but were unable to convert and the game went to overtime.
In the overtime period, the Cards trailed by two before Keys converted a three point play to put Jewell up 81-80 at the 2:50 mark of overtime only to see Alex Hillyer give Maryville the lead on an inside bucket. Jewell answered right back with a three by Finn which put the Cards up 84-82 with two minutes to play.
Keys then extended the lead 86-82 with two more free throws with 1:13 to play.
Maryville's Jordynn Martin hit a three with 22 seconds left to cut the lead to 86-85. Finn hit two free throws to give the Cards the winning edge 88-85.
Keys had a game high 26 points and
Aerial Smith had 16 for Jewell.
The Cardinals will continue their home stand as they host University of Missouri-St. Louis on Saturday, January 31 at 1:00 p.m.
