Wheeling, W. Va. – Throughout their non-conference schedule, the Wheeling University Men's Basketball team (2-2, 0-0) has tested themselves against some of the top teams in the region. On Tuesday, they flip the switch, entering their 2024-2025 Mountain East Conference (MEC) schedule as they take on Point Park at 7:30 PM. The Cardinals look to build off their momentum from a Saturday afternoon thriller and start the conference slate strong.
On Saturday, the Cardinals wrapped up their beginning of the year Non-Conference schedule by welcoming in Salem University to the Alma Grace McDonough Center. Early on, things weren't going to Cardinal's way as they were making good shots but couldn't get them to fall. Meanwhile, Salem came out hot, shooting over 56% from the floor on the afternoon as they built a 43-25 halftime lead. As Wheeling went into the locker room, they made some key adjustments and came out strong in the second half. The offense exploded for 50 points while shooting 40% from the floor and they got to within one point with six seconds remaining. They kicked the ball outside and got the three-pointer to win the game in the final seconds, bringing the team back to .500 on the season.
The biggest shot of the day came from Jerry Saunders Jr., who hit the game-winning shot with just three seconds showing on the clock. It wrapped up what was a big day for the junior, who finished with 16 points while shooting 44.4% from the floor on the day. It was the first time this season that Saunders has gotten into double figures this season, and was his second most efficient shooting game from the floor, behind the 80% mark he put up in the game before against Slippery Rock. It raised his season average to 7.8 points per game while he continues to be one of the team's most efficient shooters at 50% from the floor. He currently leads the team in both field goal percentage (50%) and three-point percentage (50%) and has been a spark plug since being inserted into the starting lineup.
The Cardinals also got a big spark off the bench in the game's second half thanks to the work of Caleb Murray. Of his 14 points on the day, eight of those came during the second half, including two of his team-high four three-pointers on the day. He was also a force on defense, leading the way with five steals, with all five of those steals coming during the second-half comeback. One of the keys to the Cardinal's win came in the rebounding, with Alex Smith leading the effort. He finished with a team-high 15 rebounds, nine of those being defensive rebounds, while also leading the team with six assists. Smith was a key piece to the Cardinal's success throughout the day, helping them pick up the come from behind win.
As they enter their MEC schedule on Tuesday, the Cardinals will be tested with the first two of those conference games coming on the road. Wheeling has tested themselves against some of the top teams in the region, including three schools from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). The Cardinals finished the season 4-9 on the road last season, with two of those four road wins coming in conference play. After opening their conference schedule on the road against Point Park, the team will go on the road again next week with a matchup with Davis & Elkins. They look to get out to a strong start as they set themselves up for success in the second half of the season.
The Matchup
The Cardinals and the Pioneers are meeting for the second time in program history Tuesday, with Wheeling leading the all-time series at 1-0. It will be the first time that the Cardinals are hitting the road to face the Pioneers, and the first time that the two are meeting as conference opponents. Wheeling and Point Park will be meeting for the first time since the 2016-2017 season as they begin a new chapter in the all-time matchup.
Their last meeting came on November 15th, 2016, in a game that the Cardinals would win 121-82. Former Cardinal Preston Boswell would lead the way for the Cardinals, finishing with 23 points while shooting 58.3% from the floor. Former Cardinal Chase Lawson added 20 points on the day, while former Cardinal Haywood Highsmith added a team-high 12 rebounds and 17 points to round out the double-double.
The Details
Tip-off for Tuesday night's game is scheduled for 7:30 PM inside the CCAC-Allegheny Gymnasium. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.
