CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Wheeling Jesuit women's team fell to Johnson C. Smith University, 54-48, on Sunday afternoon. The Cardinals fell behind early as they scored just six first quarter points compared to Johnson C. Smith's 12.

WJU (1-1) struggled to continue their second half offensive surge from a night ago. In their previous contest, the Cardinals shot over 61 percent from the field during the last 20 minutes of play. The Golden Bulls (2-0) preserved their early lead and went on to win the matchup by six points.

"I am proud of our effort, but we need to focus more on details," Head Coach Debbie Buff added. "Johnson C. Smith was a very big and athletic team. Our non-conference schedule is full of quality opponents which we did for a reason."

WJU guards Jaila Bryant and Mariah Callen earned All-Tournament honors over the weekend. Bryant averaged 17 points and eight rebounds. She finished the weekend with 13 assists and 10 steals. Callen averaged 12 points over the weekend while pulling down five rebounds and adding five assists.

The Cardinal offense made a 6-0 run early in the third quarter and cut the lead to one. Bryant scored four of the points while junior Jaana Motton converted the other basket. The Golden Bulls were able to stretch the lead back to seven heading into the fourth quarter.

JCSU scored the first four points of the fourth as the lead grew to 11. WJU was able to respond as they cut into the Golden Bull lead. Bryant knocked in a pair of free throws to get the Cardinals within three points with 2:53 remaining.

The two teams battled back and forth as the final minutes ran off the clock. WJU was unable to erase the deficit as they fell by six points.

All-Mountain East Conference performer Jaila Bryant led WJU with a double-double in the matchup. She finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds while adding five assists and two steals in 35 minutes of action.

Motton finished the contest with 10 points and six rebounds in 27 minutes of play. Callen played all 40 minutes for WJU. She scored eight points and tallied four rebounds and three assists. Senior Taylor Lubinsky contributed three rebounds, and two assists to the WJU stat total.

The Cardinals return home for a contest against Walsh University of Ohio on Wednesday, November 18 at 7 p.m.