Box Score Bolivar, Mo. - The Southwest Baptist women took a small break in conference play to host William Jewell College of Liberty Missouri at the Meyer Sports Center on Saturday. In a defensive battle in the first half, the SBU women edged out William Jewell and had a marginal lead 33-31. Timely free throw shooting from the Bearcats helped edge out the William Jewell 74-70 for the win.

The SBU women found themselves in a deadlock with the game tied 8-8 in the first five minutes of the game. The game remained tied (16-16) as the Bearcats faced a tough press with 9:41 remaining in the first half. The SBU women increased the lead by a basket to end the first half 33-31. Jacqui Zelenka, coming back from injury, led the team into the half with 9 points at the halfway mark of the contest.

SBU went on a 12-10 (45-41) run starting the second half as SBU continued to fight against the press and trap defense from the Cardinals. Halfway through the second half the Bearcats maintained their marginal lead, 54-50. The Bearcats closed the second half with some clutch free throw shooting from Leann Lansdown and Dilonna Johnson to secure the victory 74-70.

Sophomore Brook Duncan lead the team tonight as she posted a double-double with 14 points, shooting 4-11 from the floor, and 4-4 from the free throw line and 12 rebounds. Alongside Duncan, the Bearcats had four others players in double figures: Jacqui Zelenka (13), Morgan Lucy (12), Lissette Plasencia (10), and Mackenzie Skupa (10). The Bearcats shot 45.8% from the field, 30.8% from beyond the arc, and 72.7% from the free throw line.

The Bearcats are back in action on the road Wednesday December 18 against Emporia State in a conference double header for the men and women basketball teams. The SBU women are set to tip off at 5:30 p.m. and the men will follow at 7:30 central standard time.