Akron, OH. – On Thursday, the Wheeling University Men's Basketball team (1-3, 0-0) faced their biggest test of the season as they took on Akron on the road. The defense was able to hold a high-powered Zips offense to under 100-points, but the offense just couldn't keep up as they fell 99-38 at the James A. Rhodes Arena.

The Zips had just taken powerhouse Ohio State to the brink a few weeks ago, and that high-powered offense was on display again today. Akron jumped put to a lead over the first four minutes of the game, and led 9-2 as the five minute mark ticked away. However, Wheeling's defense would sure up, and a Jarett Haines jumper made things 9-4. The Zips would be held off the board over the next four minutes, but neither team was able to get on the board. The Cardinals would continue to hold the Zips off the board, and only allowed 12 points through the first 10 minutes of play. However, Akron would start a run and once they got going they couldn't be stopped. They went on a 15-0 run that ballooned the score to 24-4 and the Cardinals were looking for an answer.

Trey Stoffer hit a three-pointer with 8:13 to go in the first half. A Jordan Beale lay-up added another point to bring the score to 24-9, and Wheeling would begin to hit shots over the final seven minutes. Wheeling added 10 points to their total, seven of those coming courtesy of John Korte. He made three jumpers in a row towards the end of the half, that brought the score to 36-17. However, the Zips offense was just as potent as it had been the entire half, adding 25 more points before the quarter let out. The teams broke for the locker room with the score sitting at 49-19 as Wheeling as trying to get the offense going. Korte scored five of his seven points in the half, and Haines added four points. However, they just couldn't get a shot off from the floor, shooting just 26.8% from the floor and 18% from beyond the arc.

As the second half rolled around, Wheeling scored two big jumpers, a two from Haines and a three-pointer from Andrew Taylor. It put Wheeling on a 5-2 run to start the half and brought the score to 51-26. However, the Zips just kept their flow going, and a few missed shots early hurt the Cardinals again. Akron was able to put another run together, this time to the tune of 14-5, and the lead was increased to 72-31 with 10 minutes left. Over those final 10 minutes, Wheeling was looking to just score as much as they possibly could. They would get a three from Haines, a two from Trey Stouffer, and free throws from Nathan Merrywhether and DJ Jenkinfs to account for the final seven points of the game. After 40 minutes was over, Wheeling fell 99-38 and drop to 1-3 on the season.

Haines was the team's leading scorer with nine points and three rebounds in the game. John Korte added seven points of his own to go along with one rebound. They were the only two Cardinals to finish in double figures on the day as eight other Cardinals were able to score in the game. Wheeling shot just 25.5% from the floor, and 22% from beyond the arc. However, Thursday was a good opportunity for Wheeling to compete against elite competition. They were able to hold their division I foe under the 100-point mark, something that Point Park was unable to do just a few days prior. The run wrapped up a stretch of four road games in six days for the Cardinals, and brings them back home for both their home and conference opener this Saturday at the Alma Grace McDonough Center.

The Wheeling University Men's Basketball team returns home on Saturday when they host Notre Dame. Tip-off for Saturday's contest is scheduled for 4 PM.