Wheeling, W. Va. – The Wheeling University Women's Basketball team (3-0, 0-0) has been clicking on all cylinders through their non-conference schedule. They look to carry that momentum with them on the road as they kick off Mountain East Conference (MEC) play on Saturday as they hit the road to face Notre Dame College at 2 PM. The Cardinals, who were picked #9 in the MEC preseason poll, looks to keep their success going as they start the first half of their MEC schedule.
Last time out, the Cardinals wrapped up a three-game home stand to start the season as they hosted Thomas More. It was their toughest test of the year so far with both teams battling throughout the evening. The Cardinals got things started off with a bang, putting up their highest point total in any single quarter so far this season with 27. They took a 27-15 lead into the second quarter, but Thomas More had an answer as they outscored the Cardinals 21-12 before half and the Cardinals lead was cut to 39-36 entering half time. The two teams would go back and forth over the final 20 minutes of play, but the three-point halftime advantage was enough to lift the Cardinals to a 78-72 victory as the Cardinals moved to 3-0 to start the year.
Leading the way for the Cardinals was junior Shamia Strayhorn, who finished with 16 points on the night, while shooting 7-16 from the floor. It was the second time in the first three games that Strayhorn has eclipsed the 15-point mark as she builds off her Honorable Mention All-MEC honor from a season ago. She is averaging 12.7 points per game this season and dating back to last season, Strayhorn has scored double digit points in eight of her last ten games. The junior has also been reliable late in the game when sent to the charity stripe, shooting 84.6% from the free throw line in her first three games. She looks to continue to be a leader for the Cardinals this season as they enter their MEC schedule this weekend.
Throughout the first three games, the Cardinals have shown the ability to spread the ball around to their different scorers. Leading that passing game is sophomore Kenzie Dalton, who has picked up right where she left off with a team-high 13 assists in three games. She is tied for third in the conference in assists through the first three games, sitting just four assists off of West Virginia State's Hallie Bailey for the Conference lead. The defensive side of the ball has been led by Graduate student Jacqui Hinesmon, who sits at 21 rebounds and two blocks to lead the team in both categories. She currently sits in the top 10 in the conference in rebounding through three games and looks to continue to be the veteran leader for this team.
As the Cardinals enter conference play, they are looking to defy the preseason ranking they were handed from the conference. The Cardinals were ranked #9 in the MEC preseason poll, after finishing 6th in the conference a season ago, finishing 12-10 in MEC play. A season ago, the Cardinals also opened their MEC schedule in South Euclid, Ohio, and ended up falling to the Falcons 55-51. That would be one of just two conference losses in the first half of their schedule and they look to channel similar success this season. It will also be the first road game of the season for the Cardinals, and they look to take their home success with them on the road trip.
The Matchup
The Cardinals and Falcons will be meeting for the 23rd time in program history on Saturday, with Notre Dame College leading the all-time series at 15-7. It has been a low scoring series overall, with the Cardinals averaging just 64.23 points per game in the 23 games between the two teams. Notre Dame College has also had a lot of success in their home gym during the all-time series, with a record of 8-2 against Wheeling on their home floor.
In the most recent matchup between the two teams, Wheeling took down the Falcons 86-53 inside the Alma Grace McDonough Center. Leading the way for Wheeling was former Cardinal Lauren Calhoun, who put up 21 points and 17 rebounds in the winning effort. She was followed by former Cardinal Fatima Mohammad and Graci Fairman, who finished with 15 and 14 points respectively. Fairman led the passing game as well on the night, finishing with six assists as the Cardinals picked up 19 team assists on the night.
The Details
Tip-off for Saturday's game is scheduled for 2 PM inside the Murphy Gymnasium on the campus of Notre Dame College. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.
