Wheeling, W. Va. - With just three weeks remaining before the 2025 Mountain East Conference (MEC) teams across the conference are battling it out for their spot in the tournament. On Wednesday, the Wheeling University Women's Basketball team (13-9, 9-5) welcomes in top ranked Fairmont State with tip-off scheduled for 5:30 PM. With a win, the Cardinals would set themselves up for a chance to clinch a playoff berth by week's end, with their magic number sitting at 3.
Last time out, the Cardinals honored their seniors as they welcomed Davis & Elkins in for their final Saturday home game of the season. Following the pregame ceremony, the Cardinals came out strong, scoring 21 points in the first quarter and shooting 53.85% from the floor. They built a 21-14 lead in that first quarter and went back and forth with the Senators for the rest of the half. The Cardinals outscored the Senators 15-14 in the second quarter, and headed into halftime with a 36-28 lead. The back and forth continued into the third quarter, with Wheeling holding a four-point advantage over the Senators, but the Cardinals saved their best defense for last. In the fourth quarter, Wheeling held the Senators to just two points and a 7.14% mark from the floor. The Cardinals would score the final 12 points of the game, and went on to win by the final score of 71-43.
Leading the way for the Cardinals was redshirt sophomore Rachel Wilson, who picked up her second double-double of the week and her team leading seventh of the season. Wilson would finish just two points shy of her career-high, finishing with 20 points, and added 12 rebounds to round out the effort. She was efficient from the floor, shooting 7-14 (50%) and continued that efficiency from the free throw line, where she went 6-7 (85.7%) on the day. It was part of what had been a big week for Wilson, seeing her score 30 points to go along with 22 rebounds. She shot 55.5% (10-18) from the floor during the week, while making 10 of the 13 free throws she attempted. Wilson has finished in double figure points in each of her last six games, and looks to continue that success against a tough Fairmont State opponent on Wednesday.
Finishing right behind Wilson was Emilia Sierra Lacosta, who finished with 14 points, including two three-pointers, in the effort. After being held scoreless in back-to-back games at the end of January, Sierra Lacosta has come back strong in February with three straight games scoring in double figures. The three-ball has helped lead the way for the freshman during the run, where she has gone 8-23 (34.8%) and has hit at least two three-pointers in every game during the run. Rounding out the leaders for the Cardinals was Kenzie Dalton, who once again flirted with a double-double, scoring nine points while adding 11 assists and nine rebounds. It was the closest she has come to reaching the first triple-double of her career as she continues to be a force on both sides of the ball for the Cardinals.
With three weeks left to play, the Cardinals are creeping closer and closer to securing their spot in the 2025 MEC Tournament. After a win against Davis & Elkins on Saturday, the Cardinals dropped their magic number to clinch a playoff berth to three. Any combination of three Cardinal wins or three Davis & Elkins losses would give the Cardinals one of the 10 spots in the tournament. The Cardinals also have their sites set on a second consecutive first round bye, and hold just a game and a half lead on one of those top six spots. With a tough stretch ahead that sees three of their next four opponents among that conference top six, the Cardinals will be looking to build momentum as they chase down a MEC Championship.
The Matchup
The Cardinals and Falcons will be meeting for the 52nd time in program history on Wednesday night, with Fairmont State leading the all-time series at 31-20. When they play on their home court, the Cardinals are 8-14, compared to an 8-16 mark on the road, and have won three of the last four games played in the Alma Grace McDonough Center. It has been a low-scoring series overall, with the Cardinals averaging 64.33 PPG, with that mark sitting at 62.25PPG over the last four games.
It will be the second meeting between the two teams this season, with Fairmont State winning the first matchup 85-64. Wheeling was led by freshman Emilia Sierra Lacosta, who finished with 13 points and shot 60% from the floor on the day. Kenzie Dalton (12) and Rachel Wilson (12) also each hit double figures, while Wilson led the way with nine rebounds and Dalton added six assists in the win.
The Details
Tip-off for Wednesday night's game is scheduled for 5:30 PM inside the Alma Grace McDonough Center. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.
