The William Jewell College men's basketball team held a 14-point lead at halftime, but had to hang on for a 79-73 season opening win over Missouri Western State University on Tuesday night at the Mabee Center.   

Patrick Whelan led the Cards with 22 points, adding six rebounds.  Jorge Perez-Laham made his Jewell debut and scored 12 points while Matt Lassen, Emil Ostafiiciuc and Larry Fitzgerald all scored in double figures with 10.  Jewell shot 54.3% from the field including a blistering 66% in the first half.  The Cardinals out rebounded Missouri Western 41-29.   

The Cardinals' hot shooting carried them to a 10 point lead halfway through the first half.   Jewell led by as much as 17 in the first half, taking a 44-30 lead at halftime.

The Cards were able to get the lead back to 17 on two occasions in the second half and led by 10 with just under four minutes to play.  The Griffons then went on an 8-0 run to cut Jewell's lead to two with just over a minute to play.  Lassen's two free throws put the Cards up by two before Missouri Western closed to within one off a three-pointer from TJ Evans with 45 seconds to go.  Whelan hit two more free throws for Jewell and the Cards would continue to hit clutch free throws to put the game away. 

The Cardinals (1-0) will continue non-conference play as they host Pittsburg State on Thursday at 7:00 p.m.