Box Score WHEELING, W.Va.---The Wheeling Jesuit men's basketball team snapped their four games winless streak by knocking off one of the WVIAC's unbeaten teams, Shepherd  University, at the Alma Grace McDonough Center on Wednesday evening, 97-92. With the win,, the Cardinals moved to 3-4 overall and 1-3 in WVIAC play, while the Rams fell to 6-2 overall and 3-1 in the league.
 
“The effort was solid all-around tonight,” Head Coach Danny Sancomb stated. “Our execution was better and we did a great job of rebounding.” Sancomb continued, “It was a good win against a great Shepherd basketball team.”
 
The Cardinals received five double-digit scoring performances en route to their first conference victory of the season, led by Justin Fritts' 22 points and seven assists. Darin Harris was one rebound away from a double-double, following with 17 points and nine boards. Recardo Gaddy poured in 16 points, while fellow senior Joe Prati turned in a double-double effort with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Eric Siefert rounded out the double-digit scoring with 12 points and added eight rebounds, while older brother Ben, navigated the Cardinals 10 assists and eight points.
 
Wheeling Jesuit opened the game with a 12-2 run, causing the Rams to spend a timeout with just two and a half minutes erased from the scoreboard. After the Rams initial bucket, Fritts found the bottom of the net on back-to-back offensive possessions to give the Cardinals a 5-2 advantage. Ben Siefert followed and Tim Goff followed with lay-ins, while Gaddy struck from deep, giving the Cardinals a 10 point advantage.
 
The Rams retaliated, outscoring Jesuit 21-9 and taking a 23-21 lead at the 11:19 mark. Shepherd continued to put the ball through the cylinder, establishing an eight point 31-23 advantage before Jesuit fought back. The Cardinals quickly reduced the deficit with a 5-0 run, 31-28, and answered every Ram attack that followed.
 
With 4:23 remaining in the first half, Fritts buried a pair of free throws to give WJU a 39-38 advantage. Eric Siefert followed with two free throws and connected from deep for a 44-40 halftime lead.
 
After the break, the game remained close while Jesuit maintained a steady seven-point lead throughout the initial five minutes when back-to-back long distance strikes from the Rams reduced the Cardinal lead to one, 60-59. Ben Siefert answered with a 3-poiter, but shortly after the game was tied at 65 apiece.
 
During the final 10 minutes of play, the lead changed hands on seven occasions coupled with six tied scores. Jesuit established the final lead with 3:46 remaining in regulation when Harris grabbed an offensive rebound and buried the put-back, 90-89.Ben Siefert followed with a pair of free throws and Harris connected again from the painted area, establishing a 94-89 lead. The Cardinals added three free throws in the final 33-seconds for the 97-92 conference win.
 
“It was great to get the first conference win and generate some momentum for second semester,” said Sancomb.
 
The Cardinals will open the New Year with a game on Wednesday, Jan. 2 at the Alma Grace McDonough Center against Fairmont State University. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.