CARDS FALL SHORT DESPITE 4TH QUARTER RALLY
Louisville women's basketball staged a furious fourth quarter rally and almost pulled off the win in Blacksburg Sunday afternoon against Virginia Tech but fell short in a 70-65 loss.
For three quarters, Louisville was the gang that couldn't shoot straight, trailing 58-45 and allowing VT 24 third quarter points. It certainly looked like the Cards had left their game back in the KFC YUM! Center after 30 minutes, but the Cards found a rally in them and roared back in the final period to get within one at 63-62 with 1:48 to play after an Olivia Cochran put-back.
Virginia Tech did what they had to do, though, sinking eight free throws the rest of the way on nine attempts to keep the Cards at bay and get the win on Liz Kitley Day. The Cards won the fourth quarter convincingly 20-12, but it was not enough to give them the road win.
Cochran led the Cards with14 points, one of three in double figures for UofL...with Jayda Curry adding 13 points before fouling out and Ja'Leah Williams having a strong fourth quarter and ending with 12 points.
You can maybe point at Louisville's futile three point shooting as a reason for the loss, the Cards going a woeful 2 for18 from beyond the arc, while the Hokies went 6-16 from three-point range.
Louisville was whistled for 25 fouls, while the Hokies were just assessed 15, maybe another factor in the contest. 18-25 from the line for the home squad, Louisville going 11-17.
A contest where Louisville never had a lead, a rarity for the Cards. And, Virginia Tech did not make a basket in the final 4:20...so the chances were there for the Cards, but they couldn't quite pull it off.
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| Fred Bird is the St. Louis Cardinals mascot. |
THE FRED REPORT
FREE THROWS -- The Cards went 64.7% from the charity stripe, we demand a 70% or better for a letter, so no letter here. Roberts and Russell were a combined 4-8,
REBOUNDS -- 39-25 advantage for the Cards in the battle of the boards...Cochran with eight and Harris with seven to lead the way for Louisville. CAPITAL "R"
EFFORT/EXECUTION -- The Cards did win the turnover battle, committing 13 to Tech's 14, and had four steals to VT's three, and ruled in points in the paint 44-26, but 65 points is a bit underwhelming. And, Louisville lost...we cannot award a letter here. The effort was not enough to get the win. No letter
DEFENSE -- Allowing the Hokies 53.5% shooting for the game hindered UofL's effort, and a 20-13 bench scoring edge for VT was beneficial, especially the effort from freshman Kayl Peterson with 12 points as a reserve. No win, no letter for the defense.
FINAL FRED TALLY: _-R-_-_
The Cards get a week off before their next outing, a trip to Virginia awaits the Cards Sunday.
paulie
If the officiating had been fair and even, Louisville wine this game
ReplyDeleteWhat Jeff said.
ReplyDeleteCase of normal shots just not falling mostly.
ReplyDeleteThe Cards tried to overcome too many obstacles @ Virginia Tech. They didn't shoot the ball well and the officiating was horrible, giving Virginia Tech🏀 that hometown cooking.Also the retiring ceremony for Liz Kitley was just too much to overcome.
P/S Nyla & Tajianna left their jump shot home.
The year of the Freshman L1C4