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For the second time in five minutes, William Jewell’s men’s basketball team found itself in a do-or-die situation.

The Cardinals needed a stop to preserve a 47-46 win Monday, March 8, at the Mabee Center in the finals of the Heart of America Athletic Conference tournament, and that is exactly what they got.

Sophomore center Nick Larson tipped a pass away from Lindenwood’s Toriano Adams as time ticked off the clock and prompted the Jewell student section to rush the court. The Cardinals got a similar stop with the score tied at the end of regulation. Lindenwood guard Joey Parker drove down the lane, but his off-balance shot was nowhere near going in.

William Jewell junior guard Jonathan Benson was not afraid to admit it.

In fact, it was probably a little easier to say now that the Cardinals’ men’s basketball team had wrapped up its spot in the 73rd Annual Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I Men’s Basketball National Tournament.

“Last year, we got third place in the conference tournament, and we felt like we backed in,” Benson said. “This year we definitely earned it and beat three really good teams to be here.”

The good news for William Jewell’s men’s basketball team is that despite finishing third in the league, the Cardinals still are in contention for the national tournament.

Jewell would earn an automatic berth if the team wins the Heart of America Athletic Conference postseason tournament or if Central Methodist or Evangel wins the tournament instead.

“Our league gets three automatic berths,” Cardinals coach Larry Holley said. “First place in the regular season gets a bid, and that is Central Methodist. They are already in. Second place in the regular season gets a bid; that’s Evangel. They are already in, and which ever team wins the postseason tournament gets the third spot.

The William Jewell men’s basketball team received some good news Monday, March 1. The Heart of America Athletic Conference named its all-conference teams, and three Cardinals were among the 25 players honored.

Sophomore Nick Larson was a first team selection, senior Kyle Fisher was named to the second team and junior Jonathon Benson was an honorable mention honoree.

“I am very proud of all three of them,” Holley said. “They have all had good years. Of course, if your team does well then you have a chance for those honors.”

William Jewell women’s basketball coach Jill Cress was named the Heart of America Athletic Conference Coach of the Year on Tuesday, March 2. Cress helped lead the Cardinals to their third HAAC title under her reign and their ninth conference title overall.

Winning the conference title allowed the team to wrap up an automatic bid to the NAIA Women’s Basketball Division I National Tournament from March 17-23, at Oman Arena in Jackson, Tenn.

Four Cardinals also earned a spot on the HAAC All-Conference team. Senior guard Hilary Adams was a first team selection, while senior forward Erica Ferguson and sophomore forward Brandie Roberts were named to the All-Conference second team. Senior guard Jessica Stewart was named as an All-Conference honorable mention selection.

Jewell will play eight games in next 16 days

It’s going to be a fast and furious finish to the Heart of America Athletic Conference season for William Jewell’s men’s and women’s basketball teams.

Beginning tonight against Benedictine, the Cardinals will play eight games in the next 16 days, finishing with Senior Night against Lindenwood on Feb. 27.

While that isn’t the case this time around, there is still plenty to play for when the two rivals get together at 5:30 p.m. (women) and 7:30 p.m. (men) Saturday, Feb. 6, at the Cook Center in Olathe, Kan.

Wins over Evangel tonight could propel William Jewell

Do William Jewell’s men’s and women’s basketball teams belong among the Heart of America Athletic Conference’s elite?

Part of the answer to that question will be answered for the Cardinals when they host Evangel at 5:30 p.m. (women) and 7:30 p.m. (men) tonight at the Mabee Center.

Cardinals race past Avila after halftime

For one half, William Jewell’s men’s basketball team forgot center Nick Larson was its leading scorer.

Once coach Larry Holley and his staff gave the team a friendly reminder at halftime, Larson did the rest, pacing a comeback that led to an 81-64 victory against Avila on Saturday, Jan. 16 in Kansas City.

Jewell falls in final seconds in second consecutive game

The difference between being first and fourth in the Heart of America Athletic Conference for William Jewell’s women’s basketball team is a razor’s edge.

For the second time in 48 hours, the Cardinals had a chance in the final minute to beat an undefeated conference opponent. And for the second time, Jewell failed.