Wheeling, W. Va. - February has started with a bang for the Wheeling University Women's Basketball team (12-10, 10-6) as they have faced back-to-back regionally ranked opponents over their first two games. While the two results haven't gone their way, they have battled hard and continue their tough stretch on Wednesday when they hit the road to face Concord at 5:30 PM. It is the second of five road games during the month as the Cardinals look to get back on track as they hit the middle of the month.
Last time out, they took on West Virginia State in a game where the teams battled to overtime to determine a winner. The Cardinals had a slight advantage throughout the first half, leading 23-20 after one and heading into halftime ahead 40-36. However, the Yellow Jackets would battle back with 20 third quarter points and 13 fourth quarter points to tie things at 69-69 before the end of regulation. The Cardinals took the first blow in overtime to take a 71-69 lead and the teams traded the next four points. However, West Virginia State would seal the game from the free throw line, outscoring Wheeling 10-5 down the stretch to hand the Cardinals their sixth Mountain East Conference (MEC) loss of the season.
Leading the way for the Cardinals was senior Jacqui Hinesmon, who put up a season-best 20 points in the loss. Hinesmon was the Cardinal's most efficient free throw shooter on the day, going 6-9 from the free throw line, and added a 41.2% shooting percentage from the field. Hinesmon has been playing a quieter role for the Cardinals this season and got over the 15-point mark for the first time. Her previous season-high mark came against Glenville State on January 4th, when she accounted for 11 points. As the team heads down the stretch, Wheeling will look for Hinesmon to play a bigger and bigger role for the team as they head towards the MEC Tournament.
One Cardinal who hasn't been quiet was senior Lauren Calhoun, who continued what has been another impressive season. The senior picked up her 15th double double of the season against West Virginia State, scoring 12 points and 12 rebounds to keep the momentum going. 10 of those 12 rebounds came on the defensive end as she has been battling for the ball when the opponent goes up for a shot. Carla Torrubia Cano rounded out the top scorers, coming off the bench with 14 points and six rebounds. It was the second-highest offensive output for the junior this season, behind her 26-point effort the first time the two teams met.
With the tough stretch to start February, the Cardinals find themselves in a tie for fifth place in the conference standings with three weeks to play. However, they still have a chance to make up ground in the seeding, with games against Glenville State, Fairmont State, and West Liberty still on the schedule. The Cardinals have already clinched their spot in this year's tournament and are now trying to secure a first-round bye in the tournament. A win on Wednesday against Concord would secure that first-round bye for the team and make their MEC Tournament opener come in the quarterfinal round on March 2nd.
The Matchup
The Cardinals and Mountain Lions are coming together for their 35th meeting all-time as they wrap up the 2022-23 season series. Wheeling has the advantage all-time, with a record of 22-12, but the series is dead even when the teams play in Athens, West Virginia, at 7-7. Wheeling enters play having won four of the last five meetings with Concord, but that lone loss was in Athens in the two teams' first meeting of the 2021-22 season.
Last time out, the Cardinals handled their business on their home court, taking down Concord 93-52. Lauren Calhoun led the scoring effort with 22 points and 11 rebounds while freshman Graci Fairman added a career-best 20-point mark. Kenzie Dalton also had a big game, flirting with a triple-double with eight points, six assists, and seven rebounds.
The Details
Tip-off for Wednesday night's game is scheduled for 5:30 PM inside the Webb Carter Center on the campus of Concord University. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.
