Wheeling, W. Va. – The turkey has been cut, the mashed potatoes and stuffing has been served, and it’s back to the court for the Wheeling University Women’s Basketball team (3-3, 1-0). The team is back inside the Alma Grace McDonough Center on Saturday afternoon when they host Ursuline with tip-off at 2 PM. The Cardinals will go back to non-conference play as they close out a heavy road month of November at home.
Last time out, the Cardinals opened their Mountain East Conference (MEC) schedule on the road against Point Park. The Cardinals would get out to a fast start, scoring 23 points over the first 10 minutes of play. They shot just over 46% from the floor and used that momentum to propel them throughout the first half. They continued the success into the second quarter, as they shot just over 54% from the floor, In what was a more defensive quarter. The Cardinals would outscore Point Park 14-10 in the quarter and carried a 37-28 lead into the halftime break. As the game went on, the Pioneers would battle back, scoring 21 third quarter points. However, the Cardinal’s early push was enough to keep them in front as they hung on for the 72-63 win to open up their conference schedule with a win.
While the Wheeling youth has shined throughout the season, it was one of their veterans that led the way this time in graduate student Bryana Henderson. Henderson would finish with a team-high 15 points in the effort, while shooting 41.6% from the floor. It was the second time in the last three games that she has reached the 15 point mark, and the third time that she has reached double-digits. During that span 5-4 graduate student has shot 41.7% from the floor and is averaging 13.7 points per game. Henderson was a spark plug off the bench for the Cardinals a season ago, and has transitioned into the starting five this season. She looks to continue her success as the team heads into the bulk of their MEC schedule in November and December.
During the early part of the season, Kenzie Dalton has been the leader for the offense and on Tuesday took scoring into her own hands. She put up a season-high 13 points in the winning effort, while being the team’s most efficient shooter with an 80% mark from the floor. While scoring in double digits for the first time during the season, the junior continued to pass the ball, finishing with a season-high seven assists on the day. Dalton sits fifth in the MEC in both assists (22) and assists per game (3.7) and looks to continue her success. The Cardinal’s other double digit scorer was Kristel Rattasepp, who finish with 14 points on the night. Rattasepp has hit double digits four separate times this season, and hit the mark for the second straight game. She has scored 14 of more points twice this season and looks to continue being a scoring threat for her team.
After Saturday’s game, the Cardinals will hit the meat of their first half conference schedule, with each of their next four games coming in MEC play. Saturday’s game also marks their biggest home stretch of the first half, with three of their next five games coming at home. They won their home opener over Salem a week ago, continuing their success on the home floor. In 15 home games a season ago, the Cardinals would go 10-5 on their home floor, including winning their home finale against West Liberty last season. As they enter Saturday’s game, the Cardinals will look to turn it into a home winning streak as they try to get hot during their first half. A hot start to the season will allow them some breathing room in the standings as they race towards the MEC Tournament.
The Matchup
The Cardinals and Arrows are meeting for the third time in program history on Saturday, with Ursuline leading the all-time series at 2-0. However, this will be the first time that the two teams have met inside the Alma Grace McDonough Center. The Cardinals are averaging 63 points per game in the all-time series, and have scored 59+ points in each of the two games so far. It will be the second straight season that the two teams have met up, as the Cardinals look to get revenge after last season.
Their last meeting came on December 19th, 2023 in a game that Ursuline would win 68-59. Former Cardinal Briarley Rogers led the way for the Cardinals, finishing with 18 points, while shooting 35.72% from the floor. Graco Fairman was the other Cardinal to hit double figures, finishing with 15 points, while Rachel Wilson added eight points and eight rebounds in the effort.
The Details
Tip-off for Saturday’s game is scheduled for 2 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.
