A big third quarter helped the William Jewell women's basketball team turn an nine point halftime deficit into an 11 point victory over previously unbeaten Northwest Missouri State. The Cardinals are now 2-1 on the young season while the Bearcats drop to 5-1.
The Cardinals came out cold in the first half, shooting just 22 percent from the floor (7-32) while Northwest Missouri State posted a blistering 48 percent clip to open a 33-24 lead at the break.
Following the intermission, Jewell exploded offensively and outscored the Bearcats 24-10 in the third quarter to take a 48-43 lead.
Maddie Nelson and
Kayla Harrell each scored to pull the Cardinals within 37-30 at the seven minute mark of the period before both teams went cold, going more than two minutes without scoring .Two lay ups from Northwest Missouri ended the drought but spurred a 12-2 run from the Cardinals.
Adriana Rodriguez led the charge with eight points including hitting two three-pointers to push her team in front 42-41 with just under three minutes to go in the the third. Rodriguez would score twice more before the period was up and a Harrell jumper capped the run and gave Jewell a five point advantage (48-43) heading into the final quarter.
The Bearcats pulled within one at 48-47 before a lay ups from Nelson and Rodriguez pushed Jewell back in front by five. Northwest Missouri stayed within striking distance for much of the fourth quarter until a jump shot from Nelson with 2:47 remaining gave Jewell a six point lead which they never relinquished. Free throws from Harrell and Nelson put the game on ice and gave Jewell the 64-53 victory to remain undefeated (5-0) against the Bearcats since moving to NCAA II.
Rodriguez poured in a career-high 20 points on 8-13 shooting, including 3-3 from behind the arc. Nelson was close behind with 19 points while Harrell added 12. Freshman
Rhyann Fisher posted seven rebounds, the best of her young career while Nelson added four assists and two steals.
As a team the Cardinals shot just 34 percent from the floor and 26 percent from behind the three-point line. Despite the cold shooting, Jewell took care of the basketball committing just five total turnovers compared to 16 by the Bearcats. The Cards also out-rebounded Northwest Missouri 39-34 including pulling down 16 offensive boards which led to 13 second-chance points.
The Cardinals will wrap up the Missouri Western Classic on Saturday evening as they take on the host Griffons at 5:30 p.m.
