Wheeling, W. Va. - After playing their first three games of the season on the road, the Wheeling University Women's Basketball team (0-3, 0-0) comes home for the first time this season on Saturday. Not only is it their home opener, but they get to open Mountain East Conference (MEC) play against Notre Dame College, with tip-off scheduled for 2 PM.
It has been a long time since the Cardinals have gotten to play in front of a packed gym, and Saturday will offer them the opportunity to do just that. After a stretch of three games in five days, all on the road, it will be an opportunity for them to get back on track after dropping their last contest to Malone 70-38. Wheeling battled tight through the first 15 minutes of the game, battling to a 23-18 score with five minutes left before the half. However, a 19-1 run over the final five minutes of the second quarter that blew the game away.
Despite dropping each of their first three games the Cardinals have gotten some good contributions from both their veterans and their rookies. One of the veterans that the team has been leaning on is junior Lauren Calhoun. She picked up the team's first double-double of the season in the first game against West Chester, and leads the Cardinals with 41 points and an average of 13.7 points per game this season. Her highest output of the season came against Bloomsburg in game two, with 16 points, and she looks to keep leading the team onto their home court.
One of the freshmen who has made their presence felt in the first three games of the season has been Shamia Strayhorn. Strayhorn was all over the court against Malone, putting up six points, six rebounds, and five assists in the loss. Strayhorn is the only other Cardinal averaging double-digit points per game this season, with 10.7, and has totaled 32 points. She has been a big part of the Wheeling offwnse and looks to continue to be a driving force for the team.
As they get set to open their MEC schedule, Wheeling is looking to make it back to the MEC Playoffs in 2021-2022. Last season, they earned a first-round bye to the WesBanco center, and made it to the MEC Semifinals. That is where they fell to The University of Charleston, ending their run. This season, Wheeling was picked #9 in the MEC Preseason Poll, and are hoping to beat that number by season's end.
The Match-up
The Cardinals and Falcons have met 18 different times dating back to the 2006 season, with Wheeling going 5-13 during that stretch. They fair much better against the Falcons on their home court, going 3-5 in the eight games played inside the Alma Grace McDonough Center. Wheeling is hoping for their first win over Notre Dame since the 2018 season, trying to break a seven-game losing streak.
The last time these two teams met was on February 20th inside the Alma Grace McDonough Center in a game that Notre Dame won 73-61. Former Cardinal Lilly Ritz led the way in that game with 34 points on the night, and was the lone Cardinal to finish in double figures. She was able to pick up the double-double, pulling in a team-high 24 rebounds in the loss.
The Details
Tip-off for Saturday's game is scheduled for 2 PM inside the Alma Grace McDonough Center. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.
