The Wheeling University Cardinals dropped its hammer onto the surging Bobcat women by holding the West Virginia Wesleyan College team to a meager 29 percent from the field and took a blowout victory 65-42, Wednesday in Wheeling.
 
A paltry first and second quarter scoring effort left the Bobcats with five and seven points, respectively, to enter the locker room with its worst offensive first half of the season. A 17 percent shooting average in the first quarter foretold the difficulty of penetrating Wheeling's defense for the rest of the game.
 
Rebounds between the teams were relatively even (WVWC-31, WU-33) and turnovers were not much of a factor either (WVWC-20, WU-16). But the Bobcats just couldn't get its shots to fall.
 
Leading the Bobcats from the floor was Shelby Genes whose eight points came from two three-pointers and two free throws. Sydney Baird, last week's conference player of the week with 34 points, could manage only seven against Wheeling. Desiree Roy added six points and seven rebounds.
 
Wheeling had three double-digit performers in Shamia Strayhorn (18 points, 10 rebounds), Rachel Wilson (14 points) and Graci Fairman (10 points).
 
The Bobcats return home Saturday, Feb. 10 for a 2 p.m. tipoff against West Liberty University. Admission to Rockefeller Center is free.