LIBERTY, Mo. - The William Jewell men's basketball team opened the home portion of the schedule on Tuesday evening, defeating Emporia State 89-74. The Cardinals hit 15 three point field goals in the win to improve to 3-1 on the year. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Cardinals came out of the gates hot, led by Eli Wingert who had six points and three assists over the first seven-plus minutes as Jewell built a 22-13 lead after a layup from Kanukayi Gudza. Emporia State made a quick run to get back within four but consecutive threes by Jordan Jermain pushed the lead back to 10 with just over 10 minutes to go in the opening half. A steal and slam from Jason Thirdkill, Jr. gave the Cardinals their largest lead of the half at 40-29 and an alley oop from out of bounds by Wingert made it 47-38 at the intermission. 
• The Hornets came out of the break and immediately cut the Jewell lead to three but Luke Jordan hit a three to spark a 17-5 run, as the Cardinals hit four triples over seven minutes, including three from Jordan. The senior added two more threes with Jordan Jermain and Ashton Jermain each hitting another to push the advantage to as large as 22 as Jewell rolled to the double-digit win.
   

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Jordan Jermain scored a game high 24 points with Jordan adding a career best 18 as both players went 6-of-9 from long range. 
• Wingert added a career high 17 points to with a team high six rebounds, five assists, four steals. Thirdkill, Jr. chipped in a dozen while Ashton Jermain finished with a season high seven points. 
• Jewell shot 54% from the floor and 50% from three while scoring 32 points in the paint and 23 on fastbreaks. 

UP NEXT 
Jewell faces its toughest test yet on Saturday as they head to No. 5 ranked Washburn. Tip off is set for 2 p.m. in Topeka, Kan.