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Big second half lifts Wheeling over Davis & Elkins

— Story by Taylor Kennedy

WHEELING, W.Va. — The Wheeling University Cardinals (2-4) picked up their second consecutive win after starting the season 0-4. The Cardinals defeated Davis & Elkins (2-5) 82-71 Saturday afternoon.

“We have been through a lot this past month. It has been about taking what happens and making the most of it. I thought today we did that. It was the first time we had the full team out there. I thought we were together. I thought our bench was great. I thought our ball movement was really good. We had 14 assists and five turnovers. We’ve got some work to do on the glass, and we have to get better defensively,” said Wheeling’s first-year head coach Chris Richardson.

Wheeling missed two weeks of games due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols. Saturday’s  game was the Cardinals’ second game after their two-week hiatus.

“What I am so proud of with this team is they have had a lot thrown at them the last 35 to 50 days. They have responded. We talk about this all the time. Event plus response equals outcome. Our response has been awesome. We have responded to the bad stuff, and today we responded to the good stuff,” said Richardson. “I am excited about where we go from here as a team.”

Former Wheeling Central Maroon Knight Brent Price played 27 minutes Saturday evening. It was his second game with Wheeling University this season. Price only scored two points at halftime, but he exploded for an 18-point second half performance. He connected on all four of his three-point attempts.

“His feel for the game is really good. He is a great athlete, but he has a great feel. He knows where people are on the floor. He makes the extra pass. He is extremely unselfish. He is a glue guy. He is a great defensive presence because of his energy and effort. Offensively, he is talented. He can get to the rim, and he has worked a ton on his shot,” said Richardson. “He kind of brings us together a little bit on both ends of the floor. He is a guy that others love playing with.”

The Cardinals were led by their leading scorer Jordan Reid. Reid recorded his fourth straight 20-point performance. He scored 23 Saturday evening against Davis & Elkins. Reid connected on 9-of-12 from the free-throw line.

“Jordan averaged 18 points last season. The best thing about Jordan today was that he did it with more efficiency. He did not have to force any shots. He made the extra pass. He had five assists and no turnovers. One reason that makes him a great scorer is that he does a great job of getting to the free-throw line. He is not the biggest guy, but he does a good job finishing around the rim. He is almost a post player at how he plays, finishes around the rim, and gets to the free-throw line. He is a weapon for us without a question,” said Richardson.

Wheeling University has eight remaining scheduled games as of Saturday evening. The Cardinals’ next game will be Monday evening against the University of Charleston.

“We need to continue to grow. I know that sounds like coach talk. We need to continue to know who we are, and how we have to play to win. Today is how we need to play to win. Tough defense, sharing the ball, tightening up the glass, and getting to the free-throw line,” said Richardson. “I am just excited to see where we go from here because we have a great group of kids who believe in each other and in what we are doing.”

Davis and Elkins was led by former Woodrow Wilson Flying Eagle Breland Walton. Walton recorded a season-high 28-points in 34 minutes of play. Freshman Sam Rolle IV recorded 19-points shooting 7-10 (70%) from the free-throw line. Two other players recorded double-figure performances.

The Senators will head home for a two-game homestand which will begin Monday evening against Notre Dame College.