Wheeling, W. Va. - February has not been kind to the Wheeling University Women's Basketball team (12-12, 10-8) as they have had a tough stretch of regionally ranked competition. The Cardinals prepare to hit the road on Wednesday as they try to turn things around when they take on Fairmont State at5:30 PM. With the possibility of clinching a first round bye with a win or a Concord Loss to West Liberty, the Cardinals are determined to improve their seeding in the Mountain East Conference (MEC) playoff tournament.
Last time out, the Cardinals took on #1 in the Atlantic Region, Glenville State and fell in what was a close contest 81-74. It was all Cardinals early on, as the defense was able to shut down the Pioneers high-powered offense. Glenville State scored just one point over the first four minutes of the game and, by the first media timeout, the Cardinals were staked to a 13-6 lead. The Cardinal's offense continued to flourish, leading 27-13 after one, but it wasn't long before the Pioneers kicked their fast pace play into action. They battled and by halftime, the Cardinal's lead had shrunk to 43-37. The Cardinals continued scoring in the second half, but Glenville State would be just a tick better and the Cardinals would fall in an 81-74 matchup.
Leading the way for Wheeling was senior
Lauren Calhoun, who had a career best night. She put up 36 points in the effort and just missed a double double with nine rebounds. The effort had Calhoun just five points shy of the single-game scoring record of 41 points, set back during the 2005-06 season by Sarah Setcavage. She was the team's most efficient shooter on the day, shooting 77.7% from the floor (14-18) and 8-9 from the free throw line. She took advantage of the Pioneer's play down in the post and had a big bounce back game as the season heads into its final two weeks.
As she has done since the calendar flipped to 2023, sophomore
Shamia Strayhorn had another big day putting up 11 points in the game. She also had a big night from the floor, shooting 44.4% from the floor and 33.3% from free throw range. Strayhorn has averaged more than 10 points per game since the turn of the calendar and kept it up with her third double figures game in the last four games. Strayhorn also led the passing game with seven assists and was close to flirting with a triple double with five rebounds.
Jacqui Hinesmon also returned to the Cardinals lineup after missing the game against Concord. She was second on the team with eight rebounds on the night Hinesmon has been a big leader for the Cardinals this season and will continue to play a big role heading into the tournament.
Heading into Wednesday's game, the Cardinals have the chance to officially capture at least the number six seed in the 2023 MEC Tournament. They clinch the first round bye with a win or a Concord Loss to West Liberty, which would guarantee them a spot in the MEC Quarterfinals on Thursday, March 2nd. However, a win on Wednesday would also move them a step closer to the #5 seed. They currently sit two games behind Fairmont State for that number five seed and, with three games to follow, they would have a chance to catch them. Last season, the Cardinals claimed the #9 seed in the field and they have already had a four-winning improvement from last season and look to make a run in this year's tournament.
The Matchup
The Cardinals and Falcons are meeting for the 45th time in program history as they wrap up the 2022-23 season series. Fairmont State leads the all-time series with a record of 27-17 while they hold a 13-8 record on their home floor. However, it has been the Cardinals that have gotten the better of the series as of late, going 4-1 over their last five games against the Falcons. It has been a fairly defensive series, with the Cardinals averaging 64.2 points per game.
In their first meeting of the season, the Cardinals would take down Fairmont State in an offensive game 92-81.
Lauren Calhoun led the offense with 24 points on the night while
Shanley Woods followed it up with 19 points on the day.
Taylor Cullen also added 11 points on the night as Wheeling looks to keep that offense up on the road.
The Details
Tip-off for Wednesday night's contest is scheduled for 5:30 PM inside the Feaster Center on the campus of Fairmont State University. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.
