SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. (Nov. 8) – The Wheeling University women's basketball team opened the season with an 88-58 loss at Shippensburg in the Mountain East Conference (MEC) vs. Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Challenge Friday night inside the Heiges Field House.
 
The Cardinals (0-1) were led by senior guard Khira Burton (Cincinnati, Ohio/Walnut Hills), who posted 11 points and three assists in the loss. Sophomore forward Lilly Ritz (Cambridge, Ohio/Cambridge) chipped in eight points and a team-high seven rebounds, while battling foul trouble throughout the night.
 
Shippensburg opened up the night shooting 9-of-15 in the first quarter and limited Wheeling to just 4-of-17 from the field to establish a 23-8 lead after 10 minutes.
 
The host Red Raiders cooled off in the second quarter, but still managed to out-score the Cardinals 23-to-14 to take a 46-22 lead into halftime.
 
Wheeling was unable to cut into the deficit in the second half, allowing Shippensburg to come away with the season-opening win on its own home court.
 
The Red Raiders controlled the glass and held a 51-to-34 rebound advantage. Wheeling was charged with 25 team fouls for the contest, compared to the 11 fouls whistled on Shippensburg.
 
Shippensburg's Ariel Jones led the Red Raiders with 32 points on 11-of-14 shooting.
 
Wheeling will close out the MEC vs. PSAC Challenge tomorrow, Saturday, November 9 when it takes on East Stroudsburg at 1 p.m. at the Heiges Field House in Shippensburg.