EDINBORO, PA–The Charlottesville Cardinals wheelchair basketball team dropped their first game to the New York Rollin’ Knicks on Saturday morning but rebounded to notch two solid victories against the University of Edinboro–Pennsylvania Men’s team and the Air Capital squad (Washington, DC).
Barely five minutes into the opening game against the Knicks the Cardinals’ Brandon Rush left the game with an injury and was unable to return. Behind the torrid shooting of New York’s Patrick Anderson the Knicks built a 33-20 halftime lead and coasted through the second half for a 66-39 win over Charlottesville. Anderson led all scorers with 26 points. The Cardinals’ Mike Looney led the Charlottesville scoring with 19 points, followed by Tom Vandever with 8, Cort Thomas and India Sims with 4 each, and Jeremy Smith and Derry Hill with 2 apiece.
With Rush back in the lineup for the afternoon tilt against the Edinboro collegians the Cardinals jumped to a quick lead and managed a 37-32 edge at the half. The Charlottesville defense toughened and the Cardinals ripped off a 21-8 run to start the second half and cruised to a 67-46 victory. The Cardinals’ Mike Looney led all scorers with 23 points, while Tom Vandever and Brandon Rush contributed 11 each. Eddie Wimbish added 10 points, Jeremy Smith and India Sims had 4 each, while Cort Thomas and Derry Hill chipped in 2 apiece as all of the Cardinals scored in the game.
In the late afternoon match up the Cardinals tangled with Air Capital team and dominated the contest throughout as the team cruised to a 62-19 victory. Charlottesville’s Derry Hill lead all scorers with 21 points, followed by Mike Looney with 16, Jeremy Smith with 15, Eddie Wimbish and India Sims with 4 each, and Cort Thomas with 2.
The Cardinals will play in the quarter-final round of the tournament Sunday morning at 10:45 a.m. against the Brooklyn Nets. The winner will advance to the semi-final round at 1:00 p.m. and the tournament championship is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.