LIBERTY, Mo. - The William Jewell men's basketball team returns home this week for a non-conference matchup with Kansas Christian before hosting crosstown rival Rockhurst in the first of two rounds of the Kansas City Crown.

THE SERIES
The Cardinals and Falcons are meeting for just the second time on Wednesday. Jewell took the first game back in 2018 by a final of 123-75 which set the NCAA era for points in a game (now tied). Meanwhile, the series with Rockhurst dates back more than a century (1918) with Saturday's matchup being the 159th between the two schools. Jewell trails the series 68-90 but have won the last three meetings. 

CARDINAL NOTES

• The Cardinals are coming a key 77-55 win over McKendree on Monday night. Jewell was picked just ahead of the Bearcats in the preseason poll and posted a dominant second half, outscoring their opponent 42-20, to get the victory.
• Mason Alexander made four three point field goals against Indianapolis to push his career total to 236 and move into sole possession of fourth place all-time, surpassing Patrick Whelan (2014-18). The fifth-year senior is ranked ninth among active Division II players and tops in the GLVC. Jordan Jermain also moved up the charts into a tie with Kelly Hurst (1992-96) for 15th all-time with 125 triples. 
• After an uncharacteristic sluggish start from the free throw line this winter, Jewell seems to have gotten back on track. The Cardinals shot 78% from the line last week, including an impressive 21-of-26 against Lewis push the team average back above 71% for the season. 
• Heri Tshiyoyo continues to make his presence known in the paint, entering the week with 86 total rebounds, fourth most in Division II. The fifth-year center is second in the GLVC averaging 8.6 boards and 1.6 blocks per night and is one of just 16 players nationally to boast at least three double-doubles.
• Jewell was dominant under the basket on Saturday against Lewis, blocking seven shots to tie the NCAA single game team record. Kobe McKinley blocked three shots and has vaulted up the career chart, now sitting at No. 15 with 50 career rejections, two shy of passing Tim Sieg (1980-84).
• With some key veterans currently not available, the bench has been even more imperative as of late to the Cardinals success and two players in particular have shined in that role. Isaac Patterson and Eli Wingert are averaging 7.7 and 9.7 points, respectively, over the last three games with the former shooting 78% from three with Wingert adding four rebounds per outing.