WBB vs SMU -- Goodbye DBK -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

FRIDAYS WITH DARYL

Hello readers, welcome to the end of the month.

Photo: Jared Anderson

Before we get into any basketball recaps, I have to mention the departing DBK from the Louisville Volleyball program. 

First, I was actually wearing a volleyball shirt all day on Wednesday. The news broke in the evening and I gasped when the Cardinal Couple chat shared the news. I was not ready for this inevitability to come to fruition so soon, but is anyone ever ready for a good coach to move on?

I just wish she could have brought one home for the Cardinals first. The Cards got to the big game twice but did not take all the marbles. I fully believe the Cards could’ve made it happen on their home court had Anna DeBeer been playing in the match. It’s one of those things that’ll sting for a while and now this news… we will see how the look of the program changes over the next few months.

I also will say I'm not surprised DBK said "yes" to the Huskers. It was an opportunity for DBK to return to her alma mater and I imagine she will be there for the long haul. The Husker program usually finds itself in the national conversation. I appreciate DBK for leaving the program better than she found it. It’s been a lot of fun to watch. But I hope the Cards kick their arse!!!!



WBB

Photo: Jared Anderson

The Cardinals (9-1, 16-5) pulled out another close one out on the road against the SMU last night...corralling the Mustangs 80-75 to move to 15-6 on the season and 8-2 in the ACC.  Tajianna Roberts lead for UofL with 22 points shooting...going 9-14 from the field.  

End of 1Q 21-15 Cards
FG %
9-17 52.9% Cards
7-14 50% SMU
Reb. 9-6 SMU
3-pt %
3-7 42.9% Cards
1-2 50% SMU


Jayda Curry hit a 3 to start the game for the Cards. With a sprinkle of scoring from Nyla Harris, Olivia Cochran and Taj Roberts, the Cardinals went on a 9-0 run to push it to a 12-2 lead. It was a 2:30 min scoring drought for SMU. But not to be discouraged, SMU went on a 6-0 run before a Harris layup puts the Cards up 14-8. Jessica Peterson scored 8 of the Mustangs first 10 points. SMU battled back to make it 14-13 before Harris put it up and in for a perfect 3-3 start on the juniors' night.




End of 2Q  20-17 Cardinals 


FG %
7-15 46.7% Cards
5-12 41.7%  SMU
Reb.  9-7 Cards 
3-pt %
2-4 50% Cards
2-5 40%  SMU



The Cardinals committed 2 turnovers in the first 2:30 minutes. SMU took its first lead at 23-21.  SMU goes on an 8-0 run to open the 2nd quarter in the first 4 minutes.  A Roberts steal and open layup missed off the bounce but she got her own rebound and put back to secure the lead back for Louisville.  Roberts followed it up with a 3 pointer to make it 28-23.

As the two squads battled,  the Cards cranked up the pressure with a minute and half left in the half with 4 freshman on the floor and took a 38-32 lead.  Arenas hit the 3 pointer with 20 seconds to make it a 41-32 lead. UofL went on a 7-0 run in final minute and 40 seconds... holding SMU scoreless for the final 2:20 in the half.

Roberts had 12 points for UofL on 4-7 shooting, 2-3 from 3 point land 3 assists and 2 rebounds in the half. 



HALF   41-32




End of 3Q

FG %
8-15 53.3% Cards
5-12 41.7%  SMU
Reb.   11-4 SMU
3-pt %
2-4 50% Cards
2-5 40%  SMU 


Curry re-entered the game after sitting out most of the second quarter and hit the jumper to give the Cards their largest lead at 11. She played just 12 minutes of the first half due to some early fouls. Olivia Cochran got some questionable whistles as well.  

The Cards built a 50-39 lead with 6 minutes left in the third quarter. SMU committed 4 turnovers over a two-ish minute period.  Cards had 26 points off 17 SMU turnovers.  Merissah Russell's intentional foul to stop the clock when Curry comes up limping and grabbing her hamstring after making the steal but is unable to put the ball through the hoop.   

Berry hits the jumper in the last 10 seconds and the Cards retake a 10 point lead.



End of 4Q

FG %
6-10 60% Cards
6-11 54.5%  SMU
Reb.  6-3 Cards
3-pt %
1-4 25% Cards
2-4 50%  SMU

Over a minute and a half to start the fourth... Nya Robertson went on a 9-0 run cutting the Cards lead to 65-60 with 7:30 to go.

Jayda Curry hit a 3 with 6:45 left in the game to put Cards back up 8 but SMU hit the 3 to respond and SMU's Robertson hits her 25th point of the game before she comes up huge again on an acrobatic shot and the and 1 to send her to the line.   

Robertson had 13 points at half, 0 in the third and 19 in 4th quarter

She tied it up 68 all with 5:15 to go...four minutes earlier the Cards lead by 14 with 9:15 left in the game.  

Russell air balls a 3 before SMU takes the lead with 3:45 to go, 72-70. 

Curry with the acrobatic drive to the basket and the lucky roll to tie it all up again.

A ridiculous loose ball foul called on Cochran, her fifth, sends her to the bench and sends the Mustangs to the line where they went 1-2.

Taj Roberts with a huge bucket off the glass puts the Cards ahead 76-75 with under a minute to play.  SMU fouls with 20 seconds to go.  SMU fouls Curry with about 17 seconds left where Curry went 2-2 to and put the Cards up 78-75. The Cards add two more free throws fpr the final 80-75 margin

UP NEXT

Louisville vs  Notre Dame

Sunday at 12p.m.

ESPN2 

FRED REPORT


Fred Chopin (1810-1849) wrote 21 noctures. 

FREE THROWS --  Louisville went 12-13 with Nyla Harris leading the way with 6-6.  The Mustangs had about twice as many free throw opportunities but the Cards were at least productive when given the opportunity to secure the game at the end.  Capital F

REBOUNDING --  UofL got outrebounded 30-25 in the game.  Olivia Cochran led the rebounding efforts with just 5 due to her foul trouble.  The Cardinals had been establishing a reputation for securing a lot of second chance opportunities but only managed 8 offensive rebounds in the game.  no letter

EFFORT/EXECUTION --  The Cardinals were up by 14 at the start of the 4th quarter before they saw the lead disintegrate when SMU took the lead with just under 4 minutes left in the game.   Kudos to the squad for coming back after letting go of the lead late into the game but ....gollllleeee..... I'm with our site founder Paulie when he says, "let's ditch the 4th quarter of basketball games moving forward."   lower case e

DEFENSE --  The Cards held the Mustangs scoreless for the final 2:30 of the first half and final 2:44 of the game to seal the victory.   SMU was 2-7 in the ACC heading into the game.  Walz and the Cards knew it would be no easy task but they really did give the UofL a huge scare heading into February and a huge Sunday matchup.  lower case d

FINAL FRED TALLY: F-_- e-d

POST GAME JEFF WALZ

As always
Go Cards!


~Daryl