LIBERTY, Mo. - The William Jewell women's basketball team faced off with No. 18 Northwest Missouri State on Saturday afternoon in the Mabee Center. The Bearcats used a big first half to down the Cardinals 80-55 as Jewell drops to 1-3 on the season. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Northwest Missouri State got off to a fast start, jumping out to a 21-point lead midway through the second quarter. The Cardinals went on a quick 9-4 run after a layup from Morgan Ives to get back within 16 but a three from Caely Kesten made it 43-24 at the break. 
• Jewell played nearly even with the Bearcats in the third quarter, being outscored 17-15 but Northwest expanded their lead to 28 late in the period. 
• A jumper by Ella Bockenstedt capped a 22-9 Cardinal run over an eight minute span to pull as close as 15 but the visitors outscored Jewell 13-3 over the final minutes to bring it to the final.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Ayden Shannon led all scorers with 23 points while Kate Hillyer added 11 and six rebounds. 
• Maja Komaszynska was tied with Hillyer for a team high six boards while Bockenstedt grabbed a career high five. 
• Jewell shot a season high 40% from the floor while the Bearcats hit on 52%, including 53% from long range. 

UP NEXT
Jewell will hit the road on Wednesday at Wayne State College. Tip off is scheduled for 4 p.m.