KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – The William Jewell men's basketball team got their first victory since 1971 over Truman State on Thursday night. After that meeting in '71, the Cardinals and Bulldogs did not meet again until 2014 but Jewell got over the hump this week with a 73-64 win to move to 8-8 on the season and 5-3 in league action.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Both teams got off to a bit of a sluggish start offensively, shooting just over 30% for much of the first half. Leading by two with under 10 minutes to play in the opening period, the Cardinals went on a 12-5 run with four different players chipping in to expand the lead to nine. Jewell went scoreless over the final 4:12 but also stepped up defensively, allowing just two points, to lead 26-19 at the break. 
• The offense for both squads heated up in the second half, combining for more than 90 points. Leading 33-29 early in the period, Grant Stubbs hit a three to spark a 26-10 run and push the Cardinal advantage to 20 after consecutive buckets from Isaac Patterson. 
• Truman did not go quietly, going on a 14-2 run over a span of four minutes to make it a single digit deficit, 61-53. Two offensive rebounds led to a 50-second possession that ended in a corner three by Robbie Hanson pushing Jewell back in front by double digits, forcing the Bulldogs to foul. Stubbs and Jermain hit seven free throws over the final minute to secure the road win.  

 
KEY STATS

• With the Cardinals shooting just 30% from long range, it was the big men who combined for 40 points and 23 rebounds. 
• Kobe McKinley was all over the floor, tying his season high with 17 points to go with seven rebounds, five steals, two assists, and two blocks. 
• Stubbs added 13 points, eight rebounds while Tshiyoyo had eight points, seven boards.  
• Jermain finished with a game high 20 points on 5-of-10 from the floor.  
   

UP NEXT
Jewell will travel downtown on Monday for a big rematch with Rockhurst.