WTOV Ch. 9 Game Highlights
WHEELING, W.Va. – The Mountain East Conference's best scoring defense was on full display Saturday afternoon. The Wheeling Jesuit Cardinals women's basketball team held the Falcons of Fairmont State University to their season low in points en route to WJU's 19th victory of the season, 61-46.
With the win, WJU improves to 19-3, 14-2 in the MEC, which is good for a share of first place. Fairmont State falls to 15-7 on the year, and 9-7 in league play.
"We guarded the ball extremely well today," WJU head coach Debbie Buff remarked. "To hold Fairmont, who is averaging over 74 points per game, under 50 points was a very good performance. We had a very balanced attack on the offensive side and played with a great level of determination."
Fairmont held a one-point advantage, 7-6, with 3:07 remaining in the first period of play before WJU exploded for a 9-0 run to end the quarter. Mariah Callen drained a three pointer to begin the run. Jaila Bryant added two baskets in the final minute of play to aid the Cardinal run.
WJU began the second period ahead by eight points, 15-7. The Cardinals took their first double-digit lead with 9:30 remaining off a Damonique Patterson layup. The halftime margin was seven points in favor of the Cardinals.
The Falcons cut the Cardinal lead to four points just three minutes into the second half. WJU regained its double figure lead off a Kylie Frizell assisted by Jaana Motton with 1:38 remaining in the third. The Cardinals took a 12-point advantage into the fourth quarter.
The Cardinal defense allowed just five Falcon points over the final 5:46 of play, and closed the afternoon on a 12-5 run to secure its 15-point victory.
Jaana Motton guided the Cardinals with her near double-double performance consisting of eight points and a game high 12 rebounds.
Jaila Bryant led all scorers with 14 points. She also dished out a game high six assists to go along with her seven rebounds.
Kylie Frizell tallied nine points, four rebounds, and one steal on the afternoon. Cassi Stein chipped in eight points and four rebounds. Mariah Callen filled her stat sheet with seven points, five boards, two assists, two blocks, and a steal.
Freshman Damonqiue Patterson and Chenelle Moore supplied six and five points, respecitively. Senior Taylor Lubinsky completed the Cardinal attack with her four points.
WJU returns to the court on Thursday, February 11 to host the University of Virginia's College at Wise at 5:30 p.m.
