Wheeling, W. Va. - Throughout the preseason, the Wheeling University Women's Basketball team (2-3, 0-0) set up a daunting schedule with the goal of challenging their young team. On Tuesday, they will take what they learned and put it into practice as they open their Mountain East Conference (MEC) Tuesday against Point Park. Wheeling is coming off the high of their home opening win on Saturday and are looking to carry that momentum into the conference slate.
On Saturday, the Cardinals welcomed Salem into the Alma Grace McDonough Center for their 2024-2025 home opener. It was an efficient day from the floor overall for the Cardinals, who shot 38.5% from the floor, but early on the Tigers matched that efficiency. Salem shot 50% from the floor and as the first quarter clock expired, it was a 19-13 Wheeling advantage. It would remain a tightly contested game throughout the first half, with the teams breaking for the locker room with Wheeling leading 32-25. It wasn't until the third quarter that the Cardinals began to pull away, allowing just nine points, while putting up a game-high 18. The Cardinals kept their success going into the final quarter, shooting 38.46% from the floor, and it was enough to seal the deal as the Cardinals walked away with the 66-49 win.
It was once again the Cardinal's young players driving the success, with Kristel Rattasepp once again leading the way with 12 points. It was the third time this season that the freshman has gotten into double figures, upping her season average to 11.6 PPG through five games played. Rattasepp was also the team's most efficient shooter, going 5-10 (50%) from the floor and making each of the two free throws she attempted. Aside from her scoring, Rattasepp was also a key player on the defensive side of the ball, finishing third on the team with eight rebounds. The freshman has established herself as one of the key pieces to the Cardinal's offense and looks to continue growing throughout the season.
With Rachel Wilson out due to injury, the Cardinals needed someone to step up under the net and they got just that from the combo of Kaylee Marvin and Mia Donald. Donald would get the start, finishing with five points, three rebounds, and one assist on the day, while shooting 1-2 from the floor and 3-4 from the charity stripe. Kaylee Marvin would be the Cardinal's defensive leader, finishing with 10 rebounds and nearly picking up a double-double with eight points to go along with it. Of her 10 rebounds, seven of those come on the offensive end as she was able to extend several possessions for the Cardinals. Mah Minthe rounded out the strong performances, setting a season-high with 12 points off the bench. Minthe comes in with some of the most experience on the team as a senior transfer and looks to continue providing leadership off the bench.
Tuesday marks the official start of the road to the MEC Tournament for the Cardinals as they open their 2024-2025 conference schedule. They kick things off with the newest conference opponent, traveling to Point Park for their Tuesday night matchup. Wheeling has been road tested this season, playing four of their first five games away from the Alma Grace McDonough Center, where they are 1-3 to start the season. After the momentum of their home opening win, the Cardinals are looking to turn things around on the road as they start their conference push. Head Coach Anna Kowalska and her team are aware of the challenges their conference presents, with any team able to win on any given night, and they are ready to attack that head on as they chase down an MEC Championship.
The Matchup
The Cardinals are opening their MEC schedules on Tuesday, with their first-ever meeting against Point Park. The Pioneers are playing their inaugural season as an NCAA DII institution, and are off to a 1-5 start through their first six games of the season. They have already played two conference games coming into Tuesday night's game, falling to Glenville State and West Liberty earlier in the season. Their lone win has come on their home court, and the Cardinals are looking to knock them below .500 on their home court.
As a team, the Pioneers are averaging 65.5 points per game while shooting 36.5% as a team from the floor and 27.5% from three-point range. They have scored 60 or more points in each of their last four games, including a season-high 94-point effort against Berkeley College. They are averaging 71.5 PPG through their first two MEC games of the season, and the Cardinals will look to shut them down on Tuesday.
The Details
Tip-off for Tuesday night's game is scheduled for 5:30 PM inside the CCAC-Allegheny Gymnasium. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.
