It was a frustrating exit for Vikings senior Boman Mullings (4) -- who not only had his shot rejected by the Cardinals, but couldn't draw a foul on a baseline drive. (Chris Allen/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge]

LIBERTY -- It was a tough end to a tough season for the Missouri Valley College men's basketball team Wednesday, "to say the least," offered head coach Chad Lance.

The Vikings fell behind by double digits before the first half reached its mid-point, although rallied later in the game before succumbing to host William Jewell, 71-59, in the first round of the Heart of America Conference Tournament.

"We missed some assignments to start the game," Lance noted. "When you get down like that, it's tough."

Especially against a team coached by veteran Larry Holley, who was honored before the game for his 750 career wins. The Cardinals' motion offense found plenty of seams, especially with the penetration of junior Jordan Jamestown, and when the lanes were cut off there were open looks from the outside -- sophomore Kyle Fisher, the former Harrisburg all-stater, burying a pair of early three-pointers.

"We weren't getting out on shooters," Lance said. "We were moving on the catch, not on the pass."

Valley struggled offensively as well, making only 30.8 percent of its field-goal attempts and committing 11 turnovers during a first half which saw it score only 21 points.

"We had guys who were not in the right position," Lance said. "Obviously we didn't come out in the first half and get ball reversal."

Down by as many as 17 points during the second half, the Vikings had a charge left in them. Junior Craig Jones and senior Jelani Hicks finished fast breaks and senior Jay Elam's third bomb of the game closed the margin to 57-51 with 4:45 to go.

"We got some stops and some good transition baskets," Lance explained. "We got ball reversal for back-side threes."

Yet, Jewell had an answer, and that came on the offensive glass with a put-back by senior Ryan Hintz and a pair of free throws from junior Larry Mendacina, who led all scorers with 18 points. The Cardinals (19-12) converted 12 of 18 second-half free throws to advance to the semifinal round Friday at MidAmerica Nazarene.

Elam and junior Brandon Toliver each had 11 points and Hicks and senior Boman Mullings added 10 apiece -- well under the average for Mullings, an all-conference second-team selection.

Still, after losing 11 straight games to begin the season, Valley (9-22) went 9-11 in league play.

"When you start like that, who would know you would finish fifth in the conference," Lance remarked. "If we won some games early, which we should have won, the whole season's different."