LIBERTY, Mo. - The William Jewell women's basketball team posted a 82-54 non-conference win on Wednesday evening to close the 2024 calendar year. The Cardinals improve to 3-6 on the season with the win. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Back-to-back three pointers from Ella Bockenstedt and Kirsten Hauck got things started early for the Cardinals as they opened up a double digit lead in the first quarter. 
• The Cardinals opened the second period with a 11-5 run to open up a 16-point lead after a traditional three point play from Kate Hillyer. The Braves outscored Jewell 6-2 to close the half with the Cards leading 36-24. 
• Ottawa cut things down to nine at the open of the second half but 10 combined points from Ayden Shannon and Bree Shannon pushed the lead back to 16 to close the third quarter. 
• Hillyer and Caitlin Behling took over in the fourth quarter combining for 16 points as Jewell ran their advantage to as many as 30, rolling to the 82-54 win. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Ayden Shannon led all scorers with 23 points while Hillyer added a career high 20 to with six rebounds. 
• Behling scored a dozen off the bench while Paris Opelt pulled down a team high eight rebounds. 
• Bree Shannon finished with five points, six rebounds, and a team best four assists. 
• The Cardinals shot 47% from the floor while holding Ottawa to 26%, including just 5-of-26 from three. 

UP NEXT
The Cardinals will return to the Mabee Center on January 3 to open the thick of conference play, beginning with Drury University.