Box Score Wheeling, W.Va. – The Wheeling Jesuit Women's Basketball program hosted West Liberty University in front of an electrifying crowd in the McDonough Center on Saturday afternoon.  Senior Emily Robinson, a four-year captain who helped turn the Women's Basketball program around at WJU, played her final home game for the Lady Cardinals. 
 
Wheeling Jesuit outshot and outrebounded the visiting Hilltoppers in the first half.  Jesuit hit 40% of its shots, while West Liberty managed to hit only 32.3% from the field.
 
Wheeling Jesuit was led in the first half by junior guard Jaila Bryant, who had 10 points, made 4 of 4 from the foul line, and had two rebounds in 18 minutes of play.
 
Wheeling Jesuit took a 30-25 advantage into the locker room at the break.
 
In the second half, Wheeling Jesuit hit only 14.8% of its shots, made only 1 of 10 from beyond the arc, and had 16 turnovers as West Liberty came from behind to win the game 60-48.
 
"In games of this magnitude, controlling the ball, making sure to minimize turnovers, playing with poise, and playing great defense are the difference between winning and losing.  Unfortunately today we only played great defense," stated Head Coach Deb Buff.  
 
The Cardinals did play well defensively the entire game, holding a very strong West Liberty squad to just 60 points.
 
Bryant finished the game with a double-double, scoring 12 points and 11 rebounds, including three steals.  Sophomore forward Jaana Motton finished the game with 10 points, nine rebounds, and four steals for the Cardinals.
 
Despite the loss, Wheeling Jesuit finished fourth in the Mountain East Conference and received a first round bye in the Mountain East Conference Championship Tournament, which will be held next Wednesday in Charleston, W.Va.  The Cardinals, who finished the regular season 18-8 overall and 15-7 in the Mountain East Conference, will play the winner of the Urbana at Fairmont State game, which will be played at Fairmont State University on Tuesday at 5pm.  The winner will face Wheeling Jesuit in the quarterfinal round on Thursday March 5^th at 8:15pm in the Charleston Civic Center.  18 wins for the Women's Basketball program is the best record in a very long time.