ATLANTA–The 14th-ranked Charlottesville Cardinals went 1-2 on Saturday, losing twice to the 3rd-Orlando Magic while knocking off the 8th-ranked host Shepherd Stealers squad.
After having lost to the Alabama Women’s team on Friday night, the Cardinals then lost a tough game on Saturday morning to the Orlando Magic, 70-59 to finish the round-robin match-ups 0-2. However, in the crossover elimination quarter-final round the Cardinals downed the Shepherd team 58-47, putting them into a rematch with Orlando in the semi-final round Saturday evening.
The Cardinals entered the semi-final game with starter Brandon Rush nursing an injury and unable to play most of the first half, but Charlottesville still managed to stay within six points at halftime, trailing the Magic 32-26. In the second half, Orlando’s Paralympian star Paul Schulte continued his torrid shooting as the Magic steadily increased their advantage and ultimately recorded a 72-53 victory. Schulte finished the game with 40 points, leading all scorers. Tom Vandever led Charlottesville scorers with 18, followed by Mike Looney and Gino Wilson with 10 each.
The loss puts the Cardinals into the 3rd place game on Sunday morning with a rematch against the University of Alabama Women’s team.
In the Cardinals’ first game of the day against Orlando, Charlottesville led the Magic 33-30 at the half but Schulte scored 21 second half points to lift Orlando to a 70-59 win. Schulte led all scorers with 37 points. Tom Vandever had 16 for the Cardinals, followed by Mike Looney and Brandon Rush with 14 each, and Chris Robinson with 11.
In the quarter-final match against the Shepherd Stealers the Cardinals jumped to a quick lead, taking a 33-24 edge into the break. Shepherd regrouped at the half, abandoning their press for a tight zone defense which sparked a 15-6 run early in the second half to tie the game at 39-all with just over ten minutes to play. After falling behind 45-41 the Cardinals finally rediscovered their shooting touch to retake the lead 47-45 with seven minutes left. The Charlottesville defense clamped down and the Cardinals claimed a 58-47 victory. Mike Looney led Cardinals’ scorers with 21 points, followed by Tom Vandever with 16 and Brandon Rush with 10. Shepherd’s Gavin Cloy led all scorers with 22 points.
Game Reports (3 games):
Orlando 70, Charlottesville 59
Charlottesville 59
Orlando 70
Charlottesville 58, Shepherd 47
Charlottesville 58
Shepherd 47
Orlando 72, Charlottesville 53
Charlottesville 53
Orlando 72