Box Score WHEELING, W.Va.---The Wheeling Jesuit women's basketball team rallied late in the second half and carried the momentum into the second half for a 79-67 victory against Concord University at the Alma Grace McDonough Center.
 
“I couldn't be happier for our team on an outstanding win,” said Head Coach Debbie Buff. “We have persevered through a lot of close losses so far this season which makes this team victory very rewarding.”
 
Wheeling Jesuit (6-13, 3-12 WVIAC) used a balance score sheet to defeat the Mountain Lions (5-14, 4-9 WVIAC) as four Cardinals recorded double figure scoring performances. Jamie Sobczak and Breanna Butler led WJU with 19 points apiece. Sobczak added seven rebounds and two assists while Butler grabbed three boards and dished out two assists. Jaila Bryant followed with 11 points, five assists and two rebounds, while Emily Robinson recorded 10 points, five rebounds and four assists. Kelsy Pacholke supported the Cards on both sides of the court with nine points and five boards, while Rachael Smetzler notched seven points, six assists and five rebounds. Rounding out the Cardinals scoring was Alex Anderson with four points.
 
“Our freshman, Butler, Sobczak, Bryant and Smetzler, came up big tonight, while our captain, Robinson, provided great composure and leadership throughout the contest,” Coach Buff added.
 
The Cardinals fell behind early in the first half as the Mountain Lions opened the game with a 9-3 run. Concord pushed the lead to as many as 10 points, 20-10, midway through the half, and Jesuit was forced to call a timeout. The Cardinals responded with a pair of free throws and a field goal, cutting the deficit to six points, 24-18. Jesuit used the final minutes of the half to take control of the game. At the six minute mark, Bryant answered a Concord trifecta with layup and Butler followed with a shot behind the 3-point arc. The two teams traded buckets, and back-to-back layups by Anderson and Smetzler knotted the game at 31 apiece with 3:31 left to play. Again, the Cardinals and the Mountain Lions swapped points, but two stolen passes allowed Jesuit to take a 37-33 advantage into the locker room. Robinson intercepted the first pass and found Butler for the lay-in, and Pacholke swiped the second pass and found Sobczak for the 2-point bucket.
 
Butler opened the second half with a 3-pointer, and by the 16-minute mark, Jesuit held a 10-point, 44-34 advantage. The Cardinals continued to answer Mountan Lion attacks until back-to-back Cardinal turnovers proved to be detrimental. Concord pulled within two points, 53-51, with a 6-0 run, however, the Cardinals responded with four unanswered points and proceeded to take advantage of Concord miscues with a 13-5 run, pushing the lead back to ten, 66-56. During the final four minutes, Jesuit didn't falter and eventually secured the 12-point victory.
 
The Mountain Lions were led by Amanda Smith with 22 points . Leslie Mack added 11 points and Rachel Artrip chipped in 10 points. Jacqueline Kestner pulled down a team-high eight rebounds.
 
The Cardinals will be back in action on Monday, February 4 on the road against Fairmont State University. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.