THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE
We wish a Happy Thanksgiving to all our CARDINAL COUPLE readers!
CARDS DOWN GONZAGA, ADVANCE TO FINALS
Shoni Schimmel and Megan Deines led the Cards to a Thanksgiving eve 55-42 win over Gonzaga Wednesday night in the Hardwood Tournament of Hope in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Louisville got seven of their first eleven points from the freshman wing Deines...part of her 16, which tied her with Shoni for game high for the Cards.
Louisville took a 29-21 lead into the locker room at the half, but saw the Zags narrow the margin to 44-40 with eight minutes remaining. That's when the Cards defense went to work and allowed only one Zags score the rest of the way...the Cards going on a 11-2 run to finish the game.
It was a far departure from the past three Cardinal games...where Louisville registered 90+ points...but defense got it done and Louisville advances to the finals of the Hardwood for Hope Tournament to face Oregon State. With the win, Louisville goes to 5-0 on the season, the best start for the Cards since the 2006-07 season...when they won their first fifteen games.
A great job on the defense. The Cards deserve their turkey tomorrow and we're thankful for the win!!
Have a great Thanksgiving, CARDINAL COUPLE readers!
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Megan is coming along great for a freshman! She nailed a HUGE shot every time Gonzaga cut through the lead to give us a spark on offense. I think we went on big runs every time she hit a shot. I think we got a new big shot in town. We had a great game plan on defense and offense. The Zags had a great game plan on defense and they play great defense! I watched their game against USC this year. Zags will be top 25 by years end and will win the WAC and probably go back to the S16 since they get to host at home. They are a great team.
ReplyDeleteI know you should never overlook any opponent but I think we played our championship tonight. Oregon State gave up 88 points to CAL Poly in a loss. Something disastrous would have to happen for us to lose tomorrow night, imo. Hopefully we come out running and gunning similar to the UCF game. I doubt OSU will be able to run and handle our depth for 40 minutes.
ReplyDeleteTennessee-Martin on Monday will be a very tough game for us, imo. They are 1-4 but have battled with Baylor and Stanford.
72 - 61 my bad
DeleteTennessee Martin is scheduled to be shown on Big East TV.
DeleteSandy W.
Sorry. It is OVC which will again stream this upcoming game, not Big East TV. I know better than to listen to Timmy's research.
DeleteSandy
Also, a 6-0 start would be the first in school history -- correct!? We can't spoil that for Coach Walz. He has done such a great job building our program.
ReplyDeleteActually, the 06-07 team won their first fifteen, under Tom Collen...but it would be Walz's best start since he's been the skipper.
DeletePaulie
You forgot the most important statistic - a 22% increase in attendance, at 167!!! They might even break the magic 200 barrier tonight!!
ReplyDeleteSeriously, another good win. I like the fact that this team can play up-tempo or grind-it-out-tempo, depending on the situation. They'll probably need to beat the good teams with defense. But as Walz said on the post-game show, you can't beat good teams with 20+ turnovers.
Deines will be a fixture for the next four years.
Must have been 25 cent burrito night...
DeleteAlso seriously, we were told shortly after she signed by Walz that she'd surprise a lot of people when she got here.
He was (pleasantly) right.
Paulie
That 11-0 run lasted eight minutes! Shoni got it started with a three, Mo hit two layups and Shoni two jumpers. Clutch players step up in critical moments.
ReplyDeleteI also seem to remember that a couple of the teams in the 90's got off to great starts, didn't they?
--Joe Hill--
You are right, Joe...and Happy Thanksgiving to you, you big turkey! Under Bud Childers...the 1994-95 squad opened up 11-1 and the 1995-96 team began the season 7-1.
DeleteMo and Sho had 20 of the Cards 26 second half points.
Paulie
Happy Thanksgiving Cardinal Couple readers and staff. I'm still reading and watching and you all are doing a great job!
ReplyDeleteDavid Watson
Good to see you on here again, David! Happy Thanksgiving!
DeleteSonja
Happy Thanksgiving, everybody!
ReplyDeleteL1C4!!!
Happy Thanksgiving, Ken! Thanks for being a part of Cardinal Couple and your loyal readership!
DeletePaul and Sonja- thanks for being the go-to source for all UofL Women's athletics! Women's sports fans here in the Ville are lucky to have a site such as Cardinal Couple!
ReplyDeletethanks for all you do!
Jenny
Jenny, we can't fully or properly express our thanks for all your excellent articles and comentary here at the site! We may be named Cardinal Couple, but because of you, Sandy, Jeff and all our loyal readers...we are truly a Cardinal Family. Paul says he's sending CoCo and Timmy the Intern out to cook Thanksgiving dinner for you.
DeleteOK, maybe a bad idea, but Happpy Thanksgiving!
Sonja