ACC Tournament Down to Eight Teams -- Lacrosse Down to Eight Teams -- Softball Today -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

WAKE FOREST, SYRACUSE, GEORGIA TECH BOSTON COLLEGGE ADVANCE IT ACC WBB TOURNAMENT

A day on Thursday where the better seeds, for the most part advanced to the quarter-finals of the ACC WBB Tournament in Greensboro. Only Wale Forest, out-performed their seed and upset Georgia Tech in the opener, barely squeaking by hard-luck Virginia Tech 58-55. We wave goodbye to Pitt, Clemson, Virginia Tech and Virginia. 

WAKE FOREST 58 - VIRGINIA TECH 55.

Raca n roll! 

The Hokies started well against VT, an 8-0 run had them in good shape early at 10-3 in the first quarter. Dara Mabrey had two three-pointers for the Hokies in the first two minutes. A Ivana Raca three for the Deacs brought them back within one, though, and the first quarter ended 17-14 VT in control. Wake continued to get production from Raca, though and she tied the contest with 3:52 until the half at 24-24. They led briefly, but a Taja Cole steal and layup tied it with 1:04 in the second quarter and that's how this defensive battle went to halftime -- tied at 26-26. 

Neither team was able to create much separation in the third quarter. Wake was getting the edge on the boards, and Raca broke a tie at the 2:31 mark to put Wake Forest up 39-37. Her three gave the Deacs a 42-41 lead to end the third. We had a tight one going, and the fourth quarter looked to be a barn-burner. 

The fourth didn't disappoint. Wake went up by seven early when they got a Maya Banks jumper. try as they might, VT could not regain the lead. Liz Kitley sank two free throws to get the Blacksburg school within three at 54-51 with 1:19 to play. Her jumper cut it to one with 19 second left, but Gina Conti sank her two charity attempts with eight seconds left and a VT couldn't make their final basket attempt. 58-55, the #13 seed Deacs advance to play powerful #4 seed Florida State today at 11 a.m.

Raca led WFU with 16 points and Conti, plus Alex Sharp, added 11 each.  

SYRACUSE 67 - VIRGINIA 50. 

Emily E...how will she be? 

Another school from the Commonwealth of Virginia fell out of the tournament in the day's second game. Syracuse put five in double figures and Virginia shot a horrible 1-17 in the fourth quarter to fall to Q and the Cuse by 17. 

It was a back-and-forth first quarter. Syracuse built a 12-8 lead on an Emily Engstler three but the Cavaliers used a 8-0 run to regain the lead 16-12 with 3:25 left in the first... a Dominique Toussaint three getting them there. Kiara Lewis' "and one" brought the Orange back to a 19-17 deficit and the quarter ended 20-18 in favor of the New York school. 

In the second quarter it seemed that every time Virginia would get close, Engstler had a response. She nailed two more threes in the second and Syracuse roared out to a 30-22 lead after the second one. They maintained the margin behind Lewis and went into half with the 38-33 advantage. 

A scary moment in the third when Engstler went down with a leg injury and had to be assisted off the court. Syracuse's lead had been trimmed to 47-43 at that point. Amaya Finklea-Guity and Maeva Djaldi-Tabdi picked up the slack, though, and kept the lead -- 53-47 after three sessions. 

Virginia fell apart in the fourth. A Jocelyn Willoughby three with 6:17 left in the game were the only points they could muster. The Cavs ended up with 25 turnovers, 28,8% shooting for the game and Syracuse rolled to the win. 

The Orange will test the Cards tody at 2 p.m. No word on whether Engstler will play or not. 

GEORGIA TECH 68 - PITTSBURGH 58

Pan can...

Pitt and their superb freshmen guards Day Harris and Amber Brown gave it the good fight but the fourth quarter  proved the difference in Georgia Tech's win. Francesca Pan lit up the arena for 26 points for the Yellow Jackets to send them to the quarter and a tussle against NC State. 

Pitt shot 63% in the first quarter and trailed by just one at 17-16. The Panthers grabbed the lead at 20-17 on a driving Jahsyni Knight layup and the quarter featured several lead changes until Pan finished the half strong with three points to give the Ramblin WRECK  a 31-26 edge at the half. 

It looked like Pitt might fold early in the third. Lott-Maj Lahtinen put Tech up 38-30 with 7:28 left in the third. Pitt tried to whittle the lead but a Kierra Fletcher bucket gave GT their largest lead of the quarter at 46-37 with 2:05 remaining.

Pitt was not toast, though. An 8-0 run, fueled by Harris jumper, Green three Isimi Prapa score cut the Tech margin to one at 46-45 with 16 second left in the third. A buzzer beater by Tech's Nerea Hermosa gave the Atlanta school a 48-45 edge at the end of the quarter, but the Panthers were back in the game. 

Sadly, the fourth quarter belonged to Georgia Tech. They were going inside and it resulted in a 8-2 quarter-opening run that gave them a bit of breathing room at 56-47 with 6:18 to play. Pitt could not cut that margin. It was 60-49 with 2:40 left in the game and despite Harris hitting her final two shots, it was Georgia Tech walking away with a 68-58 triumph. Only nine turnovers in 40 minutes for GT, Pitt doubled that number. Tech won the points off turnovers 20-7, points-in-paint 28-22 and rebounds 36-30.  

Buzz's ballers will face #2 seed NC State in the 6 p.m. Friday quarterfinal. 

BOSTON COLLEGE 85 - CLEMSON 71

Yeah, that just happened, my banjo-eyed pal. 

A lot of points in the nightcap but some incredibly long delays in BC's win. Clemson held a 8-7 lead in the first quarter, but, BC roared back to grab a 12-8 lead behind Emma Guy with 5:10 left. It stayed that way for three minutes until Clemson's Amari Robinson got a put-back to go to make it 12-10. BC ended up winning the first -- 15-12.

Clemson's Shania Meertens was the star of the second quarter, getting 10 of the Tigers 22 points and Clemson went on a 11-2 run to close within 25-23 with 5:09 until half. BC kept to the task, though, pounding the paint and dominated the final 1:36 to stretch the lead from 38-33 to 44-34 at the halftime buzzer. 

Clemson showed fight in the third. Three threes, two by Hannah Hank, pulled them back to a 49-47 deficit. Tylar Bennett tied it at 49 at the 5:03 mark. A 6-0 Clemson run tied it again at 55-55 when Meetens hit two free throws with 2:40 left in the third and Bennett gave Clemson a 57-55 lead a minute later. Boston College got huge play from Georgia Pineau to finish the quarter, however and they went into the fourth ahead of the Tigers 61-57. 

Two Cameron Swartz threes kept the Eagles rolling to start the fourth. two minutes had passed and school from Chestnut Hill stretched the advantage to 70-59. Clemson would give it one more try, they climbed back to within five when Meertens connected to make the tally 71-66 with 6:09 left in the game. The Tigers went cold, though, the next four minutes failed to produce ant Clemson points until Kobi Thornton sank a jumper with 2:13 to play, making the total on the scoreboard 76-68. That cold stretch proved to be the diference, the game slowed down considerably due to a couple of questionable reviews by the officiating crew and BC took the contest by 12 as the horn sounded. 

Well, we're waiting...

Boston College moves on. They'll try Duke in the Friday nightcap. 

We get to see the top four seeds today and the Louisville Cardinals today. UofL was watching Syracuse game intently, with Walz and his three assistants doing the scout work and the players in the end-zone watching too. 

My pleasure to sit with Cards Radio WBB play-by-play guy Nick Curran for most of the Syracuse-Virginia game. He is a font of knowledge, y'all. 

Our buddy Arthur and his wife Bea head home to Greer, SC today, thankful for the one win but hoping for a bit more. Good to see him again both days. He's a class dude and she's always so complimentary and friendly. Good folks, those Clemson-ites...

Let's play ball! 


LACROSSE FALLS AT UNC

Never easy, going onto the turf of #1 in the land. 

Louisville Lacrosse took on top-ranked UNC yesterday in Chapel Hill, and it didn't go smoothly for Scott Teeter's crew. A 1-1 early tie quickly evolved into a 10-1 UNC lead in the Cards 19-7 loss. 

Give the Cards credit, they never gave up. A second half rally got Louisville back to a 16-7 deficit, but they got no closer. 

This is life in ACC women's lacrosse. You face the nation's elite each time out. Louisville, who trailed 13-2 at the half, was competitive in the second frame and gained valuable experience for their players. 

The rebuild continues. They'll welcome Niagara Monday to the LLS. 


SOFTBALL IN RED AND BLACK CHALLENGE

Holly Aprile's sluggers are back home at last! They take the field today against Illinois at 2:15, a time adjustment due to chilly conditions.

I'll miss not being there, but the Cardinal Couple crew of Jared and possibly Jeff will take in the action and keep you up on the results.

Louisville is 7-12 on the season and has had a up and down season, but still has power, pitching and prowess in the field. Bundle up and head out to Ulmer today!  


CARDINAL COUPLE BRACKET RESULTS

BRACKET Czar Jared Anderson sends this report after two days of games: 

In a improbable rise to the top, the Cardinal Couple Chimps are tied with Cardinal Couple Radio personality Daryl Foust for first place in the standings at 6-1. David Watson waits in the wings at 5-2 with our illustrious "Worldwide" Jeff McAdams at 5-2. 

My own highly unofficial research has the results for the other 14 chasing the prize. 

-- No one at 4-3
-- Six contestants at 3-4 (Case, Doug Anderson, Sonja, KStarksr, Joe Hill and Blue Lou) 
-- Four entries are 2-5 (We won't mention futility the rest of the listings...) 
-- Three entries are 1-6
-- One entry is 0-7

You got questions? Text or e-mail Jared. Or leave him a comment here. 

Good luck today and GO CARDS! 

   

Lax Visits UNC -- Swim Qualifiers -- Bracket Challenge -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Lacrosse Travels to #1 North Carolina

Louisville Lacrosse has a quick turnaround as they visit #1 North Carolina today.  The Cards enter the match with a 4-3 record after hitting a running clock against Longwood in a 17-7 win.

North Carolina is 5-0 on the year.  They started conference play with an 18-12 victory at Virginia last weekend.

Their 9.8 assists per game is top in the ACC and fourth in the country.  Their .560 shot percentage is also number one in the conference.  The Tar Heels' +13 scoring margin ranks top in the country.

Rachel Florek leads the ACC and is second in the country with 81 saves.  She had 79 going into the Longwood match, but saw little action in that match.  She has recorded 17 saves, a program record, in two of the last four matches.

Maddie Birch and Brenna Shanahan are tied for third in the ACC with 1.57 forced turnovers per game.

With her three points against Longwood, Caroline Blalock has surpassed the 100 point mark in her career.

UNC leads the series 5-0 and won 17-6 last year.

The match is set for an uncharacteristically late 7:00 p.m., start time.  You can catch it on the ACC Network.

12 Swimmers Qualify for the NCAA Championships

A program-best 12 swimmers for Louisville qualified for the NCAA Championships.  The mark is third-best in the country.

Grace Oglesby will compete in the 200 butterfly and the 100 fly.

Casey Fanz will compete in the 50 freestyle and 100 free.

Abby Hay will compete in the 200 IM and 400 IM.

Christiana Regenauer will compete in the 50 free.

Lainey Visscher will compete in the 50 free.

Arina Openysheva will compete in the 100 free and 200 free.

Kaylee Wheeler will compete in the 100 breaststroke.

Morgan Friesen will compete in the 100 breast and 200 breast.

Mariia Astashkina will compete in the 100 breast and 200 breast.

Sophie Cattermole will compete in the 1650 free.

Madison Luther will compete in the 1650 free.

Alena Kraus will compete in the 200 fly.

Ashlyn Schoof and Diana Dunn will be alternatives in the relay.


The Championships will be held in Athens, Ga., from March 18-21, two weeks from now.



Bracket Challenge

One day.  That's all it took to bust most of our brackets.  All three games on Wednesday in the ACC Tournament featured upsets, by a seeding standpoint.

There were 17 submissions.  Eight brackets went 0-3 yesterday.  Only one bracket is still perfect- the Cardinal Couple Chimps.  Yes, we're all scratching our heads at that.

13 entries have Louisville winning it all.  Georgia Tech, Duke, Florida State, and Boston College all each received one entry with them listed as the champion.

I will provide the crew with an update to include in tomorrow morning's article.  Hopefully, for most of us, we will see some green on our brackets.

Katy will be in town beginning Friday and flying out early Monday morning.  I may be a tad late giving updates to the back half of the tournament as I focus on spending time with her.  She does have a grad school interview with Louisville Presbyterian Seminary (she did get accepted into UK, if she chooses to go there) so sending her thoughts, prayers, good vibes, whatever you may have to offer!

I'll bring the beautiful girlfriend to a softball game or two for their home opening weekend, but don't count on us being there all five games.

Check back in later in the day for Paulie's updates from the first few games of the tournament.  Rumor has it he was on a date with Ms. Wuf, who came to Greensboro just for him, last night.  Bojangles was the place to be as they brought out their greasiest chicken for the happy couple.  Hopefully they'll be awake and energized enough to make it through the four games today.

Happy Thursday and Go Cards!

Jared

ACC WBB report -- WEDNESDAY NIGHT ACTION

THREE LOWEST SEEDS PULL UPSETS IN FIRST DAY

So, how many times can you recall the ACC women's basketball tournament or any basketball tournament) starting out this crazy? #13 seed Wake Forest defeats #12 seed UNC. #15 seed Pitt gets their second win the ACC this season with the exciting two point win over #10 seed Notre Dame. In the nightcap, Clemson, seeded #14 upsets #11 seed Miami (with Bea Mompremier). 

It makes you wonder about Thursday.


WAKE FOREST 83 - NORTH CAROLINA 73

The day started with Wake Forest and UNC engaged in a tight one. Ivana Raca had 12 first quarter points to give the Demon Deacons a 20-17 lead. WFU would build that to six, but the TarHeels Shayla Bennett spurred a run that cut it to two at the half, WFU still leading. 

UNC took the lead halfway throgh the third quarter at 44-43, but a 6-0 Wake run ended the third 61-56 and UNC would not get any closer than that in the final quarter. 83-73 to advance Wake Forest to play Virginia Tech tomorrow at 11 a.m. Raca ended with 27 points for Jen Hoover's team. Joining her in double figures were Christina Morra (19), Gina Conti (10) and Alex Sharp (19). Bennett had 26 for UNC.

The key? Rebounding. Wake had a 47-22 advantage. Center Janelle Bailey played just 22 minutes for North Carolina.


PITTSBURGH 67 - NOTRE DAME 65


The second game started out a Notre Dame blowout. They roared out to a 11-3 led, but the Panthers fought their way back into it and trailed just 16-12 after one. Pitt kept coming. They grabbed a four-point second quarter edge at 29-25 bu the Irish fought back with a 6-0 run. Gabbie Green sunk a jumper at the buzzer and Pitt went into the locker room ahead 34-33. 

The craziness was just getting started. In the third, Pitt would push out to a eight-point edge, led by Day Harris, but here came the Irish, behind Katlyn Gilbert, and the third ended 51-47 Panthers. Notre Dame went 5-18 in the third quarter (27%) but hadn't surrendered by any means. Muffet's squad saw their final lead at 55-53 and tied it at 65-65 on a Gilbert layup with 21 seconds to go.

Harris -- calm, cool and collected -- buried a jumper with 2.7 second left and then stole the Notre Dame in-bounds pass after an Irish timeout to cinch it. Pitt advances to play Georgia Tech at 6 p.m. Thursday. Harris had 20 points for the Panthers, Ismini Prama sank four threes for Pitt to finish with 12 before she fouled out. Gilbert was the ND leader with 20 points. 


( I talked with Cardinal COUPLE readers Arthur and Bea before the Clemson game. He was nervous about facing Miami, but correctly indicated he thought Kobi Thornton was due for a potential big night. Bea was just nervous -- playing a team that had beaten them twice. I guess the bourbon is flowing at the Hampton Inn, and who can blame them? I'm ready for one or two myself).



CLEMSON 71 - MIAMI 56

The Tigers came out roaring and jumped to a 18-9 led over a Miami squad that looked slow and disorganized. It was 25-15 after one, Thornton had 11 points already and the Clemson fans, what few of them that were there, were ecstatic. Miami regrouped in the second quarter, steadily chipped away at the lead and eventually cut it to two. At 37-33 Clemson for the halftime break, but "uncle MO" was on Miami's side. 

No one told Clemson, though.

Miami grabbed their only lead at 41-39, but, Clemson got Thornton re-engaged, came back and went on a quarter-closing 16-3 run to hold a 55-44 advantage after three. They would increase upon that and Chyna Cotton drilled a three in the fourth to make it 71-56
. 
Mompremier had 23 for the Canes in a losing effort, she's gone for the WNBA next year and was playing dinged up but with all she had. Thornton ended with 27 for the Tigers, who will go against Boston College Thursday at 8 p.m. Amari Robinson added 16 for Amanda Butler's squad, who shot 50.9% for the game. Miami's shots would go, they finished at 31.7% from the floor. 

So, how does your bracket look? 


paulie
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