JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (Nov. 16) – The Wheeling University women's basketball team was dealt a 68-56 loss at Pitt.-Johnstown Saturday afternoon in a non-conference game.
 
The loss sends the Cardinals to 1-2 overall, while the Mountain Cats improve to 3-1 this season with the win.
 
Sophomore forward Lilly Ritz (Cambridge, Ohio/Cambridge) registered her second double-double this season with team highs of 15 points and 13 rebounds (four offensive) and four steals. Senior guard Taliah Cashwell (South Charleston, W.Va./South Charleston) added 12 points, while senior guard Khira Burton (Cincinnati, Ohio/Walnut Hills) pitched in 10.
 
Pitt.-Johnstown led throughout the first half. The Mountain Cats led by as many as 13 in the first half and took a 35-23 lead into the break.
 
UPJ eventually built its lead to 16, 45-29, less than four minutes into the third quarter. Wheeling had its best stretch of the night, out-scoring the hosts 19-to-6 over the final six minutes of the period to enter the fourth quarter trailing 51-48.
 
Pitt.-Johnstown did not allow the Cardinals to cut into its lead any further. UPJ limited Wheeling to eight points in the fourth quarter and sent the Cardinals home with a loss.
 
Alli McGrath led UPJ with 22 points and 11 rebounds in the contest.
 
Wheeling will potentially play its home-opener on Saturday, November 23 against Notre Dame (Ohio). The game, which is scheduled to be played in South Euclid, will be moved to the McDonough Center if Notre Dame is selected to host a first-round NCAA Playoff football game. Stay tuned to WUCardinals.com for an announcement on the game site and time.