Wheeling, W, VA. - As we enter the final week of Mountain East Conference (MEC) play, the final push before the MEC playoffs is on. The Wheeling University Women's Basketball team (7-17, 7-13) looks to get momentum on their side as they take on Alderson Broaddus on Wednesday at 5:30 pm trying to keep their winning ways going from last time out.
The last time out for the Cardinals they took down the Bobcats of Frostburg State 73-57 in Frostburg Maryland. The Cardinals offense was on fire all game with two different quarters where they scored 20+ points. Along with outscoring the Bobcats in the quarters they shut them down defensively too and made it difficult for Frostburg State. Once they built up their lead, the Bobcats could not battle back, and Wheeling picked up their seventh conference win of the season.
Shanley Woods led the way offensively for the Cardinals with 21 points, turning in one of her best efforts of the season. When Woods has been on fire this season, she has been nearly untouchable and adds another element to the Cardinals offense. It was the third time this season that the sophomore has gone over the 20-point mark as she went 6-11 from the floor and a perfect 8-8 from the charity stripe. Woods has done good work at the free throw line this season and leads the MEC shooting .923 from the charity stripe.
The other two cardinals to score in double figures were Jacqui Hinesmon, who contributed 13, and Lauren Calhoun with 12 along with 13 rebounds. For Calhoun, it was her 15th double-double of the season and the ninth double-double she picked up in her last 10 games. Calhoun continues to be the MEC's leading scorer with 19.5 points per game and sits third in the conference, averaging 11.3 rebounds per game this season.
The Cardinals look to build off this win as they take on Alderson Broaddus this Wednesday at home. With Wheeling currently sitting as the #9 seed and Alderson Broaddus as the #8 seed, this could be a matchup we see again in the first round of the playoffs. The Cardinals sit two games behind the Battlers for the eighth seed and a win would inch them another game closer to moving up. However, a loss would all but cement them as the #9 seed heading into this year's tournament.
The Matchup
The last time the Cardinals took on the Battlers was late November with Wheeling dropping a close matchup 98-94. In the previous contest Wheeling was led by Lauren Calhoun with 20 points, Shanley Woods 18 points, and Shamia Strayhorn with 14 points. Both teams are familiar with each other with both teams in the middle of the pack in the conference. A big key for Wheeling to come up with the victory is to make strong efforts on the defensive end to try and slow down the Battlers offense as they are coming into the game, averaging 77 points per game.
Players to watch for both teams will be Calhoun for Wheeling as she averages 19 points per game along with 11 rebounds. Then for the Battlers Nyshae' Weaver is the standout player for the season she averages 14 points per game with 8 rebounds and shooting 57% from the field. Look for both players to go back and forth Wednesday night in the final matchup between these two conference teams.
The Details
Tip-off for Wednesday night's game is scheduled for 5:30pm in Alma Grace McDonough Center. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.
