LOUISVILLE, KY–The 16th-ranked Charlottesville Cardinals wheelchair basketball team had upset hopes in their minds today as they faced the #1-ranked, defending national champion Dallas Movin’ Mavericks but the Dallas squad shattered those dreams as they swatted the Cardinals 96-58.
Opening with a swarming full court press, the Mavericks quickly opened an 18-2 advantage, exploiting each Charlottesville miscue to build a commanding 53-19 halftime lead.
“Our plan was not to dig an early hole,” said player-coach Tom Vandever. “Instead we were swallowed by an earthquake.”
The Cardinals regained a level of  equilibrium and put up 39 points in the second half, but the effort was too little and too late as Dallas easily advanced to the Elite Eight segment of the tournament.
Mike Looney led Cardinals’ scorers with 16 points, followed by Tom Vandever with 12, Jeremy Smith with 8, Cort Thomas with 7, Andrea Woodson-Smith with 6, Arthur Tracy with 5, Chris Robinson with 3, and Brandon Rush with 2. Â Dallas’ Bobby Nickleberry led all scorers with 30 points.
The Cardinals next face the #9 Phoenix Banner Suns at 7:00 p.m. tonight.