Strong first half gives Cards 27 point win on road
Myshia Hines-Allen provided a career high 21 points and was part of the front line attack that produced 59 of Louisville's points. Sara Hammond added 13, Shawnta' Dyer totaled 11 and Emmonnie Henderson finished with 11 rebounds and 11 points in front of 567 fans on the Valparaiso campus.
The Cards struggled early against the middle-denying Valpo zone and led only 7-6 after Dani Franklin hit a follow-up shot five minutes into the game. Louisville head coach Jeff Walz inserted Henderson and Dyer into the fray, though...and the Cards went on a 15-2 run over the next six minutes...a Dyer hook shot giving Louisville a 18-8 advantage.The Cards increased the lead as the half continued...Arica Carter sank a pull up jumper to make it 22-8 and Carter scored again at the 6:41 mark to make it 30-11 Cards.
Back-to-back threes from Hammond and Jude Schimmel
Louisville failed to score in the final 3:06...Valpo finishing on a 7-0 run to provide the 48-24 halftime margin. Hammond had 11 to lead the Cards in the first twenty.
The second half was a little more challenging for the Cards...after leading 62-34 five minutes in...the Cards saw the Crusaders put together a 16-6 run during the next seven minutes to cut the lead to 68-50.
Mariya Moore countered with a three to start a 12-5 run which pushed the Cards back out to a 80-55 advantage after a Henderson free throw at the 2:44 mark. Megan Denies connected on a three with 1:09 left to make it 83-57 and the Cards closed out the road win 86-59.
In addition to the double-figure producers...Mariya Moore totaled eight points, Carter six, Smith and Deines five, Schimmel and Vails three. Ariana Freeman played but did not score.
 |
| Cards warm up before the Valparaiso victory |
Louisville won the points-in-paint battle 54-34 and forced the Crusaders into 22 turnovers while creating 13 steals.
The Cards will return to action Thursday, Dec. 4th when they host Iowa in the KFC YUM! Center for a 7 p.m. tipoff.
What We Liked
- Myisha Hines-Allen's 9-13 shooting and 21 points. The freshman has a knack for getting the ball and finishing...the Valpo front line could not contain her, Dyer or Henderson.
- Multiple three-point scorers in Jude, Sara, Mariya and Megan. As more team pack the paint defensively against the Cards...a few good women will be needed to loosen up the defense.
- "E" riffic! Henderson continues to get bunches done in her time on court. Her 16 minutes provided 5-6 shooting, 11 boards, a free throw, and a steal. And, she only picked up one foul.
What Needs Work
- Walz has got to find a way to increase free throw productivity. 11-23 is 47.8%. Backups Vails and Dyer were a combined 2-7.
- Stopping second half runs. The Cards were deep into the bench when the Crusaders went on their 16-6 jaunt...at 68-50 Walz started trickling back in the starters to make sure it didn't get any closer.
A win to put Louisville at 7-0 and a November sweep. Give Valpo credit for not throwing in the towel completely after being down by 31...Louisville only outscored VU 38-35 in the final twenty. The Cards continue to do what the premise of this team is this season...strong inside play that finds its creation in turnovers, transition and going to the boards on both ends.
Enjoy the cruise over the Crusaders, Cards...Iowa and Kentucky are waiting on the dock this week.
Game highlights below, courtesy of Valpo Athletics:
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
paulie
We will see where this is after Iowa and UK. going 1-1 during this stretch is a must! 2-0 wouldn't be bad either!
ReplyDeleteJeff seemed worried about the interior D. Hines-Allen and Henderson. Too many of Valpo's guards drove and hit shots over them pretty easily. UK is going to drive and drive at us all game long.
ReplyDeleteIt's a give and take with Myisha and "E"...they're scorers and allow a few as well. Dyer is probably the Cards best interior defender along with Hammond. We'll know a lot more about this squad after the Iowa and UK games...we need 10,000 + in the YUM! for the Hawkeyes and let's sell it out for the Cats' visit on Sunday!
ReplyDeletePaulie
So far so good, except free throws. Have been pleasantly surprised with Deines particularly at the point of the press and E's strength and scoring. The freshmen are doing great so far and the seniors seem to be hitting stride at the right time.
ReplyDeleteIt will be fun to see who will step up against better competition. Our non-conference strength of schedule doesn't seem as strong as last year. We need these next two wins to help in tourney seeding. Good Luck Ladies!
Will Walton be back any time soon?
ReplyDeleteCurtis Franklin
Bill Walton has used up his eligibility and is doing color comm....oh, snap...u mean Cortnee? Toes can be tricky things. She was in a shoe and on the bench at Valpo...but I doubt they give her clearance until she is pain-free and no chance of re-breaking is there. I guessed Iowa, it may be longer...and then there's the whole getting back into basketball playing shape conditioning thing.
DeletePaulie
Walz says Walton maybe in time for ODU 12/15.
Delete