WHEELING, W.Va.— The Wheeling Jesuit men’s basketball team had an outstanding performance Saturday at the Alma Grace McDonough Center, defeating Ohio Valley University 106-62.
Every Cardinal touched the scoring column, and six players finished with double digits. Joe Prati led the Cardinals with 18 points, shooting 6-for-8 (75 percent) from the field which included a 4-for-6 (67 percent) showing from long distance. Recardo Gaddy followed with 14 points on 4-of-7 (57 percent) shooting, and Justin Fritts poured in 12 points with a 5-for-7 (71 percent) performance. Justin Andes, Darin Harris and Eric Siefert each tallied 11 points. Andre Harris and Tim Goff chipped in nine points apiece, while Ben Siefert (4 pts), Charles Bard (3 pts), Aaron Dinterman (2 pts) and Kasey Tuttle (2 pts) rounded out the scoring column.
Wheeling Jesuit (6-6, 3-5 WVIAC) controlled the glass 47-31 as Andre Harris pulled down a team high 11 rebounds. Goff and Eric Siefert followed with six boards apiece while Ben Siefert, Fritts, Dinterman and Andes grabbed four each. The Cardinals shot 41-for-68 (60 percent) from the field which included an 11-for-26 (42 percent) showing from beyond the 3-point arch.
Fritts opened the game with back-to-back buckets, giving the Cardinals a 4-0 lead. However, the Fighting Scots (2-12, 1-7 WVIAC) began draining shots keeping the scoreboard close, and established a 19-18 lead after a long distance shot. The lead didn’t last long as Prati responded with a trifecta, putting the Cardinals back on top and igniting an 18-0 run, 36-19. The Cardinals led by as many as 27 points, 63-36, before closing out the first half 63-38.
WJU cruised through the second half with everyone contributing to the 106-62 victory. The Cardinals largest lead was 44 points recorded with 4:38 remaining in the game, 97-53.
The Cardinals will travel to Shepherdstown, W.Va. on Monday, January 14 for a league contest with Shepherd University. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m.
