Wheeling, W. Va. – On Tuesday, the Wheeling University Men's Basketball team (1-2, 0-0) got their first win of the 2022-23 season when they beat D'Youville 73-58. The Cardinals look to keep that momentum going as they hit the road to open Mountain East Conference (MEC) play on Saturday against Notre Dame College at 2 PM. After being picked #10 in the MEC Preseason Poll, the Cardinals look to start strong as they try and defy those preseason rankings.

Last time out, the Cardinals battled D'Youville and picked up there first win of the season 73-58 to love to 1-2 on the season. It was a close first half with both teams going back and forth trying to gain the advantage. That advantage would come for Wheeling in the second half as their defense stepped up, allowing just 24 points over the final 20 minutes. Head Coach Chris Richardson said it was their best defensive half of basketball this season and the offense took advantage. They put up 34 second half points and it was enough for them to pull away for the 73-58 victory. The Cardinals picked up win number one on the season and hope to use that momentum as they enter conference play this weekend.

Leading the way for Wheeling was redshirt senior Brent Price, who put together one of the best games of his career. He led both sides of the ball, finishing with 22 points and eight rebounds, going over the 20 points mark for the first time this season. Price has had a strong start to the 2022-23 season, as he enters his fifth year as a member of the Wheeling University Men's Basketball team. He is averaging 16.7 Points Per Game this season and has scored in double digits in all three games this season. He averaged just under 10 points per game last season and is being looked at as a big offensive piece for the Cardinals this season. He has started out the season strong and looks to continue that success as the season goes on.

The Cardinals have seen other guys step up over the week as the team chemistry has been big for the team this season. Senior John Korte stepped up as well last time out, putting up a season high 18 points in the win. Korte has scored double digits in two of the three games to start the season as he is also being relied on more as a score for the Cardinals. One of the guys who has come on strong in his first year with Wheeling is Marcus Johnson. After putting up 28 points in the opener he has come back and been a strong player in the post for his team. He only scored four points last time out, but head coach Chris Richardson said that he remained consistent on the court and was one of Wheeling's best plus minus players in the win. The Cardinals unselfishness has helped their offense this season and they look to use that through the ups and downs of the MEC.

With the Cardinals now entering MEC play, they looked a shake the number 10 ranking they received in the annual MEC preseason pull. Last year, the Cardinals were the number 9 seed in the MEC tournament and this year they're looking to take the next step and get higher in the standings. Even though they're roster features mostly freshman and transfer players, the Cardinals still have some veteran presence on the court who can help lead this young team to success. The Cardinals will have to be road warriors at the years beginning, with four of their first six conference games coming on the road, as they try to start conference play strong. Last season, the Cardinals had just Two wins when they played away from the Alma Grace McDonough Center and they looked to improve upon that this season.

The Matchup