Wheeling, W. Va. - The Wheeling University Men's Basketball team (5-3, 2-1) will be celebrating local schools on Monday when they head to WesBanco Arena. They will host Ohio Valley partners Franciscan University in a special 11:30 AM tip-off as they celebrate education day. The Cardinals have invited local schools from across Ohio County and the surrounding area, with special worksheets and in-game activities planned to celebrate our local students.
Last time out, the Cardinals would start this first half ending three-game home stand when they welcomed in The University of Charleston. It was back and forth throughout the first half, with both teams hitting 6-0 runs to start the game. The Cardinals would pull out to as much as an 18-10 lead by the 10-minute Mark of the first half, but as the game went on Charleston would slowly chip away. By halftime, they had turned the game into a four-point deficit, and the Cardinals were looking to make adjustments in the second half. After shooting just over 38% in the first half, the shooting got more efficient for the Cardinals, with the team hitting just over 43% of their shots in the second half. However, Charleston would outscore the Cardinals 44-42 down the stretch and were staked to a 75-73 lead with just a minute to play. With just three ticks left on the clock, the Cardinals would hit a corner three to win the game and an added free throw wit. One second brought the game to its final score of 77-75.
Hitting the game winner for the Cardinals was Ayden Goll, who wrapped up what was a career day on the court for the Redshirt Freshman. Goll would set a new career-high with 23 points and, with three seconds left on the clock, got the ball in his hands in the corner. After missing the game-tying shot on the previous possession, Goll would take the shot and swished it through to give Wheeling a 76-75 lead. It capped off a day that saw Goll shoot 37.5% from the floor and a perfect 9-9 from the free throw line. He continues to be one of the top scorers in the conference this season, averaging 17.4 PPG across eight games played. He has been in double figures in each of his eight games this season, and has been the team's leading point scorer in six of the eight games this season.
Sitting right behind him was redshirt junior Alex Smith, who finished with 16 points in the effort. Smith would be the most efficient shooter on the day for the Cardinals, shooting 7-7 from the floor, including a 2-2 mark from three-point range. The 16 points were the most scored by Smith since he put up 16 points against West Liberty on March 1st. Smith would also make his impact felt on the defensive side of the ball, finishing second on the team with both seven rebounds and four steals in the effort. Although he didn't get on the scoresheet on the day, Tee Harris Jr made his presence felt on the defensive end of the floor. He would lead the team with eight rebounds on the day while getting up for four blocks and adding three steals in the effort. He set new season highs in both rebounds and blocks in the effort, while tying his season high with three steals in the effort. Harris looks to continue impacting the defensive side of the ball as the Cardinals continue through their final first half stretch.
Saturday will serve as the Cardinal's education day game, where they welcome local students to WesBanco Arena. Despite Ohio County Schools being cancelled on Monday, the Cardinals invite local students to WesBanco Arena for the education day festivities. There will be special in-game activities, including halftime knock-out for special contestants and player autographs available after the game. Wheeling continues their annual match-up with Franciscan University, with the two teams meeting up for the fourth straight season. The two catholic institutions come together to celebrate local students, while the Cardinals continue a busy stretch of games. They are in the middle of a stretch of three game sin five days, as they look to head into the break with momentum continuing on their side.
The Match-up
The Cardinals and Barons are meeting for the third time in program history, with Wheeling leading the all-time series at 3-0. Wheeling has served as the home team in each of the previous three match-ups and will once again take on the roll this time around. The Cardinals are averaging 88.67 points per game in the series, and have scored 80+ points in each of the previous three match-ups.
The last meeting between the two teams came on January 4th, 2025, in a game that the Cardinals would win 84-68. Leading the way for the Cardinals was Alex Smith, who finished with 15 points and a team-high three assists in the effort. Former Cardinal Sean Ealy would match his 15 point mark, while Caleb Murray came off the bench for 13 points in the effort. The defense was led by Tee Harris Jr., who finished with 10 rebounds in the effort.
The Details
Tip-off for Monday's game is scheduled for 11:30 AM inside WesBanco Arena in downtown Wheeling. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.
