The William Jewell men's basketball team downed Illinois Springfield 84-69 on Saturday afternoon on the road to move to 18-6 overall and 8-6 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• In a half full of runs, the Cardinals went on 16-4 streak to turn a four point deficit into a 12 point advantage with under ten minutes to play in the opening half. The Prairie Stars responded with a run of their own to pull back within five before Patrick Whelan hit back-to-back threes to push the lead back to 11. UIS closed the opening half with another run and got as close as 33-31 but a three from Pharroh Gordon ended the bleeding. A 75 foot buzzer-beater by UIS made it a 41-39 game at the break. 
• The second half was all Jewell as they opened with a 24-7 run to break open a 19 point lead with 10:42 to play. The Cardinals expanded the lead to as many as 24 with under five remaining and cruised to the 15 point win. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Jewell out-rebounded UIS 31-26 including pulling down 12 offensive boards, leading to 15 points. 
• The Cardinals shot 45 percent from the floor overall, including 47 percent in the second half, while holding the Prairie Stars to just 35 percent in the second 20 minutes. 

LEADERS OF THE FLIGHT

• Whelan led the Cardinals with a game-high 22 points, including 19 in the first half, while Keith Hayes added 17. 
• Gordon grabbed his 11th double-double of the season with 17 points and 13 rebounds, to go along with four assists. 
• Byron Harp chipped in 11 points while tying his career high with six assists. 

UP NEXT
The Cardinals return to the Mabee Center next Thursday night as they host Indianapolis on Thursday evening and Southern Indiana on Saturday afternoon.