Wheeling, W.Va- Before the contest began, the Wheeling University Women's Basketball team (13-9), (9-5) took some time to recognize and honor their two seniors, Bryana Henderson and Mah Minthe. They were presented with a framed jersey, gift baskets, and hugs all around. However, the Cardinals were not as friendly to the Senators come game time. By the end of it, Wheeling would rack up 32 points in the paint, finish shooting 35.4% from the field, and were rewarded with a 71-43 landslide victory over Davis & Elkins College.

Things started off unusually as the Senators were issued an administrative technical foul for not communicating their starters by the given time. Henderson went one for two, followed by the jump ball to get the game underway. From here, the Cardinals soared out to a 14-0 start as Emilia Sierra-Lacosta made good on two three-pointers and a layup during the stretch. D&E climbed out of the early hole with nine points in roughly two minutes. Still, Wheeling ended the first quarter with two good free throw attempts from Kenzie Dalton and a Graci Fairman layup for the 21-14 advantage.

A successful trip to the line by Rachel Wilson kicked the second quarter off positively for the Cardinals. Time continued to tick as both squads focused on the defensive side of the game. Layla Merriweather opened the scoring drought with a free throw and then a three-pointer to make it 32-19. However, the Senators started to get into a rhythm with under four minutes to play in the half. Josiany Canales scored the next eight points in two minutes to cut the lead to just five. It was short-lived as Hillari Baker was golden on a tough jumper to bring a 36-28 lead into the locker room.

Coming out of the break, Wilson sent the bench into a frenzy, getting the basket, the foul, and the point after. Wilson started heating up with six points over the following three minutes, making her presence known in the paint. Henderson also added a layup amid the run. Kenzie Dalton used her speed in the back half of the third quarter to steal the ball away and run down the court for the easy two-point reward. Baker kept the good vibes rolling with a shot from deep to enter the final quarter up by 12, 53-41. 

Wheeling used the fourth quarter to prove how good they can be on both ends of the court. They held Davis & Elkins to a mere two points while adding 18 points to their total. Mia Donald began the Cardinal takeover with a layup in the paint. Wheeling picked up the pace with 5:22 remaining in the contest as Dalton zoomed down the court to cash in on some fastbreak points. The Senators made their only basket with 4:34 left to play, making it 58-43, but the margin of scoring kept getting wider with good free throws by Lacosta and Henderson. Then, Merriweather made her defensive prowess known with a block on one side of the court and a three-ball on the other. Lacosta cemented the 71-43 victory with the final five points coming from three free throws and a layup.

Rachel Wilson led Wheeling with 20 points and 12 rebounds to mark her seventh double-double of the season and third 20+ point performance. Her seven shots made out of 14 attempts made her the most efficient shooter on the floor. Following behind Wilson in points was the true freshman, Emilia Sierra Lacosta, with 14. This is Lacosta's third straight game where she has finished with double-digit figures, the 11th time this season. Kenzie Dalton recorded nine points, nine assists, and 11 rebounds. Layla Merriweather capped her day off with seven points, two steals, and a block and led the team from behind the arc, cashing in on two of her five attempts. The honored senior, Bryana Henderson, finished with seven points. Graci Fairman and Hillari Baker ended with five points. 

The Wheeling University Women's Basketball team will not have much time to rest as they welcome Fairmont State on Wednesday, February 12th, at 5:30 p.m. inside the McDonough Center.