Cardinals Flying High

Having played four games last week, the Wheeling Jesuit (17-8, 14-6) men cruised past Salem International (2-24, 2-18) 88-64 on Monday night at the Alma Grace McDonough Center. Jesuit fans saw the Cardinals flying high above the rim, as they turned the second half into a dunk-fest.

During the first half, eight Cardinals filled up the point’s column led by Brenden Bazilio with eight. Recardo Gaddy and Andre Harris each had seven, and Ben Siefert recorded six points. Two cardinals put in five, Joe Suchy and Steve Catich, while Obi Ukwuoma and Joe Prati chipped in four apiece.

The battle of the boards was 20 to 12 in Jesuit’s favor with Gaddy, Siefert, and Prati pulling down four each. The Cardinals had their hands in the passing lanes as well, swiping nine passes and causing 13 turnovers.

After the break, the Cardinals led 46-29 and the show was just beginning as the Cardinals played above the rim eight possessions in nine minutes. Catich received a no-look cross court pass from Ben Siefert and went baseline throwing it down with a Tiger defender hanging on his back. A minute-and-a-half later, Catich found Ukwuoma cutting the lane for an easy two hand finish.

Next up, Andre Harris, Harris swiped a pass and was preparing for take-off when a Salem defender decided to join the poster, giving him an old fashion three point play. Harris had a hand in the next three as well, throwing down two and finding Greg Andrews for the third.

Prati was the last Cardinal to hang on the rim, doing it twice. He banged the first one home off a drop-step in the post, receiving the pass from Aaron Tiknis, followed by an interception and breakaway.

Four players reached double figures as Harris paced the Cardinals with 17 points. Prati was two points shy of that mark while Catich and Siefert ended with 13 and 10, respectively.

Wheeling Jesuit will travel to Philippi, WV for a make-up game with Alderson Broaddus College on Thursday, February 25th. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.