The William Jewell women's basketball team snapped a five-game skid and improved to 4-8 in Great Lakes Valley Conference play with its 77-68 victory over McKendree University on Thursday night in the Mabee Center. The win also brings the Cardinals back to .500 on the season with a 10-10 overall record while  McKendree drops to 11-10 overall and 5-7 in GLVC action. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• 1st Quarter: It was a back-and-forth opening quarter with the score staying within four points throughout. Macyn Wilbers sparked the Cardinal offense early with a basket in the paint while Lea Finn kept the momentum going when she dropped in a basket from beyond the three-point arch. Natalie Closser and Kiara Bradley joined in on the scoring end and pushed Jewell to a two-point advantage after the opening frame. 
• 2nd Quarter: McKendree responded in the early parts of the second quarter with back-to-back baskets to regain the lead. Wilbers answered back with another jumper, followed by two made three throws from Bradley to keep Jewell in front. An offensive rebound from Bradley and a dish to Kayla Harrel extended the Cardinal lead to six points. At the break Jewell held a 30-26 point edge. 
• 3rd Quarter: Bradley stayed with the hot hand and came out of halftime with consecutive layups to extend the lead. Sydney Offield moved the Jewell advantage to eight points with a smooth jump shot from the top of the key. The lead was then pushed to double-digits when Antoinette Mussorici drew a foul and made the basket for an old-fashioned three-point play. McKendree came storming back in the final minutes of the quarter to cut the Cardinal lead back to only four points heading into the final quarter of regulation.  
• 4th Quarter: The Jewell offense came to life in a high scoring fourth quarter, capping it off with 30 points in total. Fast break points from Wilbers and Bradley helped minimize a final run from the McKendree offense. From the charity stripe the Cardinals were able to keep its advantage and leave the Mabee Center with a 77-68 victory. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• The Cardinals were able to capitalize with 34 points in the paint, compared to 24 from McKendree. 
• Jewell shot 49 percent from the field on the day in addition to hitting 21-of-26 free throws. 

LEADERS OF THE FLIGHT

• Scoring: Bradley (26), Wilbers (12), Mussorici (12), Closser (8)
• Rebounding: Offield (7)
• Assists: Harrell (3), Mussorici (2)
• Steals: Bradley (4), Denzer (2)

YOU SHOULD NOTE

• Wilber's 12 points against McKendree marks a new career-high for the sophomore who also earned her first career start. 

UP NEXT
Jill Slominski's team returns to the Mabee Center on Saturday and will host the University of Illinois Springfield with tip off scheduled for 1:00 p.m.