Storylines – vs Wheeling Jesuit University
Picked to finish second in the Preseason MEC Coaches' Poll, No. 23 Wheeling Jesuit has used balanced scoring and a strong defense to jump out to an 8-1 league mark. Debbie Buff's team has four players averaging in double figures led by Monica Burns' 14.9 points per game. The Cardinals' defense has ranked near the top of the conference all season. Through nine MEC contests, opponents are scoring just 61.6 points per game and are shooting 38.7 percent from the field. The 61.6 points per game allowed ranks second in the MEC while the field goal percentage defense is third in the MEC. Wheeling Jesuit will enter Monday's game on a three-game winning streak that has seen them defeat their opponents by an average of 27.7 points per game. In its most recent win, Buff's crew raced out to a 36-12 lead after the opening quarter en route to a 92-61 win over Concord. Mariah Callen led the way with 19 points as the junior guard made 6-10 field goal attempts. Keeping the Cardinals off the foul line could be key, Wheeling Jesuit has attempted at least 19 foul shots in each of the last three games. Overall, the Cardinals make 72.9 percent of their free throw attempts to rank third in the league.
About UVa-Wise
In the midst of its second six-game winning streak of the season, UVa-Wise will look for its longest winning streak since winning 10 consecutive games from Jan. 14 - Feb. 10 during the 2005-206 season. Sophomore
Dakotah Turner and junior
Allison Ball got the Cavaliers off to a fast start in Saturday's 79-60 win at West Liberty. Turner scored all of her career-high 10 points in the opening half while Ball netted all of her 13 points in the first 20 minutes. The early play of Turner and Ball precluded strong second half efforts from
Kayla Carey and
Makenzie Cluesman. Carey scored 14 of her game-high 16 points in the second half while Cluesman netted eight of her 11 points in the final 20 minutes. Defense continues to be UVa-Wise's calling card. The Cavs limited the Hilltoppers to 1-17 shooting from the 3-point line in the second half Saturday while limiting West Liberty to 36.1 percent shooting for the game. UVa-Wise leads the MEC in points allowed per game at 59.5 points per game and field goal percentage defense at 36.7 percent. The Cavs also lead the league in rebounding margin at plus 11.2. UVa-Wise has not lost the rebounding battle in a game since Dec. 3 when Glenville State outrebounded UVa-Wise 48-46. In two meetings against Wheeling Jesuit last season, Carey averaged 16 points but the Cavs struggled in the rebounding battle. UVa-Wise lost the battle of the glass 36-20 in Wheeling while dropping the battle of the boards 33-32 in Wise.
