The William Jewell men's basketball team enjoyed perhaps the biggest win of their NCAA-era on Thursday as they defeated No. 12 ranked Bellarmine 70-69 in overtime. This is the first win over the Knights in program history, and is potentially their final meeting with Bellarmine's departure to Division I beginning in the fall of 2020. Jewell moves to 9-12 on the season and 4-9 in conference play with the win.
How it Happened
- Jewell hung around the nationally ranked Knights for much of the opening half but Bellarmine went on a 11-2 run late to break open a 13 point advantage. Robbie Hanson hit a long three with 39 seconds on the clock to make it a 10 point game at the half.
- The Cardinals opened the second half with a 10-1 run to quickly pull within one after a layup by Eysan Wiley. Bellarmine went back on top by five but Jewell put together another run, outscoring the Knights 16-11 over the next eight minutes. Nick Bradley put Jewell on top by three with 66 seconds on the clock but Bellarmine's CJ Fleming matched it just 22 seconds later to force overtime.
- The Knights got on the board first in the extra period but Mason Alexander's three put the Cardinals back on top on the ensuing possession. With Jewell leading by one with 21 seconds to play Fleming again came up big for Bellarmine with another triple but Hanson lifted the Cardinals to the win, hitting a trey of his own with just five seconds remaining.
For the Cardinals
- All five starters scored in double figures for the Cardinals led by Wiley's 18 points. Bradley added 17, Alexander 14, Hanson 11, and Jackson Golightly 10.
- Golightly also added seven rebounds, five assists and three steals.
- Jewell forced Bellarmine into 26 turnovers, the most for the Knights in more than a decade, which led to 25 points.
For the Knights
- Dylan Penn led four Knights in double figures with 25 while Alex Cook added 20.
- Bellarmine outrebounded the Cardinals 33-31.
Up Next
The Cardinals welcome another tough opponent on Saturday as they host Indianapolis at 3 p.m.
