Cards salvage Las Vegas trip with 65-51 win over Nebraska

TUESDAY @ CARDINAL COUPLE:

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-Lady Cards win against Nebraska

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-Beach Party featured two great bands

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-Tailgate @ Tropicana full of Red.

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The University of Louisville's women's basketball team won their final game in the Duel in the Desert Classic with a 14 point win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Shoni Schimmel led the way for Jeff Walz's cagers with 22 points. Monique Reid nearly notched a double-double with 13 points and 9 rebounds and Tia Gibbs (pictured left) added 12 points and seven rebounds.

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Louisville started slowly, as they have the entire time in Vegas, and fell behind the Huskers 8-5. The Cards turned up the defensive pressure though and went on a 13-3 run to take a 18-11 lead halfway through the first half and would never trail again. After Nebraska rallied to cut the Cardinal margin to 18-16, Louisville responded with a 9-0 run and held a 27-16 advantage. The team went into the locker room at halftime with the Cards holding a 35-22 lead.

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Nebraska came out hot in the final half and whittled the Cardinal advantage to 41-38 before a 8-0 'Ville run midway thru the second half gave them a 49-38 lead. The Cards ended this one strong after another Husker rally and went on a game ending 6-0 run for the victory.

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Walz played nine Cardinal in this one and all but Shelby Harper scored. Keisha Hines, frustrated by the Nebraska height in the paint fouled out with only two points but did grab seven rebounds. The Cards shot 40% in the game and narrowly lost the battle of the boards 41-40.

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Nebraska lost all three of their games in the round robin format, Louisville went 1-2. Houston lost to surprising Marist the final day 78-70 to finish 2-1 and the Red Foxes swept all three of their contests.

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The battle of the bands on the Tradewinds Beach in St. Petersburg between Louisville and Southern Miss was a one sided affair. Louisville was selected the winner with an excellent performance before a packed crowd in pleasant temperatures. The Cards also won the LadyBird vs. Eagles dance team competition but the Golden Eagle defeated the Cardinal Bird in the mascot dance off. The Southern Miss tuba section outlasted all the perfomers, though...blasting away on the beach well into the afternoon after the competition ended. The crowd was primarily Cardinal red for the event and CARDINAL COUPLE staff ran into a lot of familiar faces and friends down by the water. The Cards face the USM Golden Eagles today in the Beef O' Brady bowl.

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The evening ended in fine fashion with a great tailgate party Monday night at Ferg's Bar next to Tropicana Field. Cardinal fans dominated the turnout, which featured a free buffet and beverages. The event went well into the evening and had both school's marching bands and a local live rock band. CARDINAL COUPLE saw numerous friends and readers. A great evening of fun and fellowship.