KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Rogers State's dream season would not have a storybook ending as William Jewell shocked the Hillcats with a 76-73 upset in the first round of the NAIA National Tournament Wednesday in Kansas City, Mo.
 

The Cardinals outscored RSU 13-6 over the final four minutes to complete the come-from-behind shocker. Larry Mandacina banked in a leaning jumper with just over a minute to play to give William Jewell a three-point lead. Sylvester Spicer answered with a bucket inside but Kyle Fisher delivered a dagger with a long wing jumper with 13 seconds showing on the game clock.
 

The Hillcats called a timeout to setup the final shot. Senior Aldric Reynold's got off a clean look from the top of the key, but his game-tying attempt rattled in and out of the rim. The miss set off a wild celebration for the mostly partisan Cardinals crowd inside Municipal Auditorium.
 

RSU, who was making its first appearance on the national stage, became the first No. 1 seed in the six years to be bounced in the first round.
 

"We lacked defensive intensity in the second half," head coach Lloyd Williams said. "They just hit jump shot after jump shot and there was a lack of execution on our part."
 

A 14-0 first-half run propelled the Hillcats to a 28-20 lead with 5:22 to play. The Cardinals fought back as Jonathan Benson buried an elbow jumper right before the halftime horn to cut the lead to 35-33.
 

RSU stretched the margin back to eight by scoring the first six points of the second half. However, William Jewell answered with a 7-0 run to cut the deficit to one with a 3-pointer by Fisher. The Hillcats clung to a slim advantage until the final minutes. Benson regained the lead for the Cardinals with a trey at the 2:17 mark to make it 70-68.
 

Chris Francis was fouled on a 3-point attempt and hit 2-of-3 free throws to tie the game at 70-70, but the Cats were unable to regain the lead. Mandacina's jumper put William Jewell back in front by three and Fisher's bucket sealed the win.
 

RSU led the nation in 3-point shooting percentage during the regular season, but made only 2-of-13 attempts against the Cardinals. The Hillcats shot 56 percent from the field in both halves but couldn't compensate for Jewell's 18-for-30 shooting effort in the second stanza.
 

"I told our kids that our season is not based on this one game tonight," Williams said. "We had an incredible year and I'm not sure if we'll ever get to do it again because to go 30-1 takes an entire team that is willing to sell out every night. I'm very proud of the season that we had."
 

Benson led all scorers with 23 points and combined with Fisher for six 3-pointers. Sylvester Spicer topped RSU in scoring with 18 points. Roderick Rodgers added 14 while Spencer Schrupp scored 10. The Hillcats outrebounded William Jewell, 36-29.
 

Rogers State (30-2) saw its school-record 17-game winning streak come to an end. The Hillcats won both the regular season and conference tournament championships in the Sooner Athletic Conference before bowing out in their first National Tournament appearance.
 

Seniors Abram Donlon, Aldric Reynolds, Roderick Rodgers and Spencer Schrupp played their final game for the Hillcats Wednesday night.