Wheeling, W. Va. - Throughout the preseason, the Wheeling University Women's Basketball team has been focusing on team chemistry. That chemistry will be out on display on the court for the first time in 2022-23, when the Cardinals kick-off their season with a pair of non-conference games at the Seton Hill Crossover Tournament. The action begins on Saturday when they take on Lock Haven University at 5 PM and wraps up on Sunday with an afternoon contest against the host Seton Hill at 3 PM. With a mix of veterans and returners on this year's team, Wheeling is looking to make another run back to the Mountain East Conference (MEC) Tournament.
Last season, the Cardinals had their share of ups and downs during the regular season with a roster that consisted of mostly freshmen and sophomores. The Cardinals finished the year 8-20 overall and 7-15 in MEC play to help clinch the #9 seed in the MEC Tournament field. The Cardinals entered the tournament with the motto "why not us" and battled #7 Alderson Broaddus in the first round. Although the Cardinals dropped both matchups with the Battlers during the regular season, Wheeling came out strong putting up 33 first half points. They used a strong start to their advantage and went on to win 68-62 to advance to the MEC Quarterfinal round. There, they would meet the eventual NCAA Division II National Champions Glenville State and fell 105-45 ending their season.
Despite the abrupt finish, the tournament run gave some of their young players a taste of playoff success that they are bringing into this season. Leading the way once again will be senior post player Lauren Calhoun, who had a breakout 2021-22 campaign, leading the team in nearly every statistical category. She was the team leader in points per game (19.4), rebounds per game (11.4), and total points (543). Joining her is junior Shanley Woods, who was the only other Cardinal player to average double digit points per game last season, 10.1, and was one of the best three-point shooters on the team at 31.4% last season. Rounding out the top returners is sophomore Shamia Strayhorn, who led the team with 95 assists last season and averaged 9.1 points per game.
The Cardinals also brought in a recruiting class of eight newcomers who will be looking to make an immediate impact for the Cardinals. Fort Frye alumni Kenzie Dalton and Hannah Archer join Wheeling after leading their team to a championship in 2021-22 and Fatima Mohammad brings her experience on the Norwegian National team to the court. Transfers Kimora Pooler and Bryana Henderson have each experienced the rigors of a collegiate basketball season and look to add to the Cardinals wealth of experience on the court.
One of the things that separates Wheeling from the field according to new Head Coach Anna Kowalska is their difficult preseason schedule. They scrimmaged former NAIA National Champion Thomas More while also playing an exhibition game against Ball State to warm up for this opening game of the season. The Cardinals will now get their first real game action of the year against two teams in a very similar situation to their own. They then add another exhibition game against Robert Morris University next week before jumping into their MEC schedule. Kowalska is hoping that the rigorous preseason and non-conference schedule will prepare her team for what they are set to face on their road back to the MEC Tournament.
The Matchups
Lock Haven: The Cardinals and Eagles are meeting for the first time in program history when they meet at the Seton Hill Crossover. It will be Lock Haven's season opener as well after they went 14-14 overall and 10-12 in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) play last season. Like Wheeling, Lock Haven has an abundance of new players coming in for this season, offering a good matchup for the Cardinals to start the year.
Seton Hill: The Cardinals and Griffins will be meeting for the 12th time in program history on Sunday, with Seton Hill leading the all-time series with a record of 8-3. However, this will be the first meeting between the two teams since the 2013 season as the Cardinals try to break a five-game losing streak in the all-time series. The Cardinals fell in their last matchup 70-52 back on February 11th, 2013. Former Cardinal Breanna Butler led the way with 20 points while Jamie Sobczak added 15 points on the day.
The Details
Tip-off for the weekend opener on Saturday is scheduled for 5 PM inside the Katherine Mabis McKenna Center on the campus of Seton Hill. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.
