Wheeling, W.Va. — The Wheeling University Women’s Basketball team faced a tough challenge at home and lost to the Concord Mountain Lions, 66-54. Layla Merriweather and Kenzie Dalton each scored 17 points, leading the Cardinals. Despite the defeat, Wheeling showed impressive ball control with only six turnovers, compared to Concord’s 18. They also limited the Mountain Lions to just one three-pointer throughout the game.
The first quarter started slow for Wheeling. Concord took the lead early, making it 7-4. Emma Reynolds evened the score with a three-pointer, followed by a brief lead from Emilia Sierra Lacosta. However, Concord quickly responded, ending the quarter ahead 19-14.
In the second quarter, both teams struggled to find scoring opportunities, resulting in only 17 combined points. Graci Fairman started strong with a jump shot, but Concord steadily extended their lead to reach 30-20 by halftime.
The third quarter saw Merriweather fight back with an and-one play, closing the gap to 34-28. Yet, Concord went on an impressive 11-0 run, creating a significant distance. Wheeling managed to rally late in the quarter, ending at 47-37.
The final quarter was challenging for the Cardinals. Concord launched another scoring streak, pushing their lead to 60-39. Wheeling fought back with shots from Baker and Dalton, but it wasn’t enough. The game closed with a score of 66-54, favoring Concord.
Merriweather and Dalton were standout players, both grabbing six rebounds. Hillari Baker added seven points, while Lacosta contributed six.
This matchup highlights the competitive nature of women’s collegiate basketball. With teams like Wheeling working hard to improve, every game is a chance to build on their strengths. As they prepare to face Glenville State on January 17, the focus will be on learning from this experience and stepping up their game.
For more details about Wheeling University and their upcoming games, check out their official athletics page.
