FAIRMONT, W.Va. – The Wheeling Jesuit women's basketball team collected an impressive Mountain East Conference road victory over Fairmont State, 53-49, Thursday evening. The Cardinals trailed the Falcons by one at the half, but were able to outscore the Falcons 16-11 in the final 10 minutes of play to clinch the victory.

WJU (5-1, 3-0 MEC) displayed another impressive defensive performance, holding Fairmont State to just 26 percent shooting from the field while outrebounding the Falcons 44-41 on the evening.

 "We played outstanding defense holding Fairmont State to 26 percent shooting," head coach Debbie Buff expressed. "We outscored them 32-20 in the paint and we received 14 points from our bench. It was a great team win on the road."

The Cardinal offense opened the night with a 15-6 run in the first five minutes of action. Mariah Callen netted the first three points of the contest, while Jaana Motton and Jaila Bryant each contributed four early points.  

Fairmont State responded and cut the WJU lead to four after the first quarter. The two teams continued to battle back and forth before Mackenzie White knocked in a pair of free throws with 18 seconds remaining for the Falcons, giving them a one point lead at the break.   

Bryant led WJU with eight points and five boards at the half. Motton finished the half with five points and five rebounds, while Callen added four points and three rebounds to the WJU total.

WJU and Fairmont State notched near identical third quarters, both scoring 13 points. Fairmont State retained its one point lead heading into the fourth quarter.

The Cardinals scored the first four points of the final quarter to take a three point lead. The teams continued to exchange baskets, before WJU grew its lead to four, and went on to win the contest 53-49 over Fairmont State.

Bryant paced the Cardinal attack with 16 points, nine rebounds, and three assists. Callen added seven rebounds to go with her nine points and two assists. Motton finished with seven points and seven rebounds, while Kylie Frizell added seven points off the bench including the final two of the contest to clinch the Cardinal victory. Taylor Lubinsky finished the night with three points and eight rebounds. Cassi Stein recorded four points, three rebounds, and two steals in the contest.  

The Cardinals return home to host the Rams of Shepherd University on Saturday, December 5 at 12 p.m.