Wheeling rallied from an eight-point deficit in the final minutes, with Alex Smith’s late 3-pointers and a pair of defensive stops powering an 87-78 season-opening win over Ashland. Ayden Goll led the Cardinals with 21 points, while Smith finished with 11.

By the Numbers
  • Wheeling 87, Ashland 78.
  • Goll: 21 points, 10-for-10 at the free-throw line and 5 assists.
  • Smith: 11 points, including 8 of Wheeling’s next 11 after scoring his first basket with 4:09 left.
  • Wheeling trailed 73-65 with 4:23 remaining before closing on a 22-5 run.
Yes, But

Ashland led by as many as eight in the second half and kept the game close despite Wheeling taking a 35-33 halftime lead. The Cardinals needed a late scoring burst and key defensive plays to secure the win.

What's Next

Wheeling opens the West Liberty Tip-Off Classic against CAL-U on Friday, Nov. 13, at 7:30 p.m.

Bottom Line

Wheeling’s opener showed the value of late-game shot-making and defense: Smith supplied the surge, and the Cardinals turned a late deficit into a nine-point win.