By DONN ADAMSON\Daily Journal Sports Editor

Published: Saturday, November 11, 2006
Updated: Friday, November 10, 2006 11:00 PM CST

PARK HILLS - The Mineral Area Cardinals are perfect so far this season going 3-0 over their first week of play, and will be in action this afternoon at the MAC's Bob Sechrest, Sr. Fieldhouse at 2 p.m. against Lindenwood University's J.V.'s

On Wednesday, the Cardinals (No. 19) avoided a comeback scare by the No. 20 Wabash Valley Warriors with an 81-72 win. Mineral Area had jumped out to a 12-0 lead and coasted through the first half to a 52-19 blow-out.

Wabash Valley, 3-1, would have none of it as they got their game into high gear to own the second 20 minutes and make it close, outscoring the Cardinals 53-29 to only lose by nine points.

Chad Henderson led the Cardinals in scoring by making four three-pointers to score a total of 20 points. Eric Stuckey scored 17 points , Willie Hassell had 15, John Fowler had 12 and Rickey Claitt scored nine points. Dexter Powell made 18 and Emmanuel Gaiter had 16 for the Warriors.