PHILIPPI, W.Va. - The Wheeling Jesuit women's basketball team stretched its winning streak to seven games by defeating Alderson Broaddus, 75-59, Thursday night. WJU trailed by four at the half before winning the third and four quarter by nine points and 11 points respectively.
The Cardinal defense forced 19 Battler turnovers, and held their opponent to 36 percent shooting. The WJU bench managed to outscore the AB bench 32-18 on the night, led by juniors Kylie Frizell and Jaana Motton who each tallied 14 points.
"When we play with intensity on defense and communicate well, we are a good basketball team," head coach Debbie Buff stressed. "It was a great second half effort, especially from our post players. Chenelle and Jaana combined for 30 points and 17 rebounds."
The two halves of play were very different from each other. The first half saw an exchanging of baskets by both teams, as AB led 18-17 at the end of the first, and 41-37 at the half. The largest AB lead of the evening, nine points, came with two minutes remaining in the second quarter.
The Cardinals came out of the half with a new found sense of energy. The WJU defense held its opponent to 20 percent shooting and forced 11 second half turnovers.
WJU began the third quarter on an 11-0 run, taking a 48-41 lead. AB responded, cutting the lead to a single point at two different times.
WJU started the fourth quarter on an impressive 15-2 run. Frizell capped the run off with a three-point basket with 5:35 remaining, stretching the Cardinal lead to a game high 19 points.
The Cardinals went on to win their seventh consecutive game, improving to 8-1 on the season.
Freshman Chenelle Moore led the Cardinals with 16 points and seven rebounds. Frizell finished with 14 points, four rebounds, and three assists. Motton turned in a double-double consisting of 14 points and 10 boards. Mariah Callen added 13 points, three rebounds, and three assists to the Cardinal attack.
Seniors Taylor Lubinsky and Jaila Bryant each finished with six points. Lubinsky added seven rebounds and three assists, while Bryant tallied two boards and a team high six assists.
WJU returns home for a 1 pm contest on December 31 against the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.
