CARDS PUT FOUR IN DOUBLE FIGURES WITH 18-POINT WIN
"Defensively we were absolutely outstanding. We didn't do a great job of scoring in the second half, though...holding the ball too long and missing some easy shots...but it's a good win over an outstanding team." -- Jeff Walz
The Cards got four players into double figures...Myisha Hines-Allen leading the way with 16 points. Cortnee Walton added 12, Mariya Moore with 11 and Asia Durr finishing with 10.The first quarter was a defensive struggle...Louisville leading 5-0 after the first five minutes on 1 for 10 shooting. Moore's three with 11 seconds set the score at 12-6 for the first ten minutes. The Cards were ice cold from the floor at 18.8% but the Wahoos made only two baskets in the opening quarter.
Virginia did score the first two baskets of the second stanza but Louisville erupted on a 14-0 run after that...with a Taja Cole layup, Durr jumper, Hines-Allen +1 and scoring again inside with under six minute. Durr's three set the tally at 26-10 Cards. Louisville would push the run to 21-3 and take a 33-13 lead after another Hines-Allen score inside. The Cavs would get the final five points of the session to make it 33-18 at the half. Hines-Allen had seven points in the second quarter and Louisville had improved their shooting percentage to 42.9%.
Louisville maintained the edge after the break. Hines-Allen hit a layup with 6:57 to make it 39-23 and a Durr steal and layup gave Louisville a 41-25 lead with 4:25 left in the period. The Cards would push the advantage to 45-27 when Walton connected on a put-back and Durr got a "plus 1" with 22 seconds to give the Cards a 48-30 lead after three. Louisville had hit 11-12 from the free throw line and was holding Virginia to 35.3% shooting. UofL looked to let the air out of the ball in the final quarter and neither team scored until Hines-Allen nailed a jumper with 7:10 to play. Virginia did cut the lead to fifteen with 2:38 remaining after a Huland-El jumper...but scores from Sam Fuehring, a bucket by Walton off a Fuehring assist and two Cole free-throws with a minute left had the Cards back up 59-38.
Sometimes, you need to put the whistle away.
HOW DID FRED DO?
On Free Throws, the Cards were a scintillating 14-15...so a capital "F" for that outstanding performance.
Louisville won the rebounding battle 34-29. Lauren Moses did grab 11 for UVA...but only two in the second half. We award a capital "R" for winning the rebounding battle. Hines-Allen had seven for UofL, Walton six and Moore five.
Easy shots, for the most part...were successfully made... Walton and Hines-Allen were a combined 10-17 from the floor. A few missed layups but nothing to get too worked up over with 42% shooting...we'll award a capital "E" in this category.
Defensively, UofL turned in another excellent performance in allowing the opponents just 14 made baskets and a 33.3% success rate on shots. The Cards also forced 19 turnovers and had 11 steals. A capital "D" is warranted here.
WHAT WE LIKED
Maintaining the lead. Louisville never trailed in the contest and the closest Virginia got was 12-10 to start the second period. The Cards responded well to that with an eventual 21-3 run. The Cards led by fifteen at the half and won by eighteen.
Balanced scoring. Walton had a nice offensive performance and with four in double figures, Louisville was not dependent on just one or two players for points. Durr and Cole came off the bench with big contributions tonight.
Making the free ones. We'll mention the 14-15 free throw shooting again. On the road. With six players getting to the line. Our benchmark is 70%. UofL checked in at 93.3%.
Defense! Defense! The Cards turn in another excellent defensive performance in holding Mikayla Venson to just 13 points and the Cards forced 19 turnovers. What once was the prime concern of Coach Walz has turned into the hallmark of the Cards in ACC play. You can't say "the defense rests" lately...
WHAT NEEDS WORK
A rough day for B.J. The talented red-shirt junior had another less than stellar performance with just two points on 0-5 shooting in 20 minutes. We hate to see it out of "Miss Hustle" and hope she breaks out of the slump very soon.
Not-so-"trey-bien" The Cards were 3-15 from three-point range (20%) and all of those makes came in the first half. We hope that stat improves Sunday...NC State knocked off Duke 65-62 at Cameron tonight and made ten threes in the process.
The Cards go to 13-5 with the road win and 5-0 in the ACC. Another impressive and stifling Cardinal defensive effort...Louisville has held the last three ACC opponents they have played to under 50 points. Redemption train rolls south for its next stop in Carolina...facing a surprising Wolfpack squad that still has just one conference loss. paulie
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We tried without success to get the radio broadcast that they said would be on 790. Vivian kept up with them on twitter, but that was all we got. Does anyone know about that. But a great game.
ReplyDeleteWe listened to the whole thing (pre-game, game broadcast and post-game) on 790 with no issues. We listened over the airwaves, not through iHeart. I think that some or all U of L games are blocked from iHeart.
DeleteI was able to watch on the College Sports Live app that Louisville used to be a part of. Virginis annuncers, but pretty knowledgeable. I don't know of any issues with 790...I listened to the pregame, halftime and post game reports there.
DeletePaulie
I listened through an AM/FM radio and got it OK, Charlie. Were you trying to listen through the internet? Just curious.
DeletePaulie
HI! I'm a long-time UVA sports fan who attended last nights game. I stumbled upon your site when looking for recaps of it. You have a very nice site here and I'll be back to check it out.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the game, my Wahoos just never seemed to be able to get into an offensive flow and I'll attribute that to the lockdown defense your Cardinals were putting on them. There's no doubt we miss Faith Randolph. WE struggled by a mediocre WFU squad without her and then this. Coach Boyle has pegged Breyana Mason as the one who needs to pick up the slack and she did have 12 points last night but I'm not sure if she's the answer. Hopefully, the Wahoos will have Faith back when they come to visit the Cards next month.
Durr looks like a real keeper to me and Taja Cole, who I got to see play in high school, did a great job off the bench. You also have two very strong in the paint players in Hines Allen and Walton.
Nice win over us last night. Keep up the great coverage on your women's sports programs and best of luck -- except for one particular game -- the rest of the year.
Charlie Brown ( yes I get teased about it all the time)
Chancellorsville, VA
Good grief, Charlie Brown (sorry...I couldn't resist) Thanks for checking in and your analysis. Defense was a major concern for Louisville early in the season and probably cost us a few games. The coaches have been working on it non-stop with the squad, though and it looked pretty decent last night. Hang in there with your Cavs...looks like you have a interesting stretch ahead with Ga. Tech, FSU NC State and Duke coming up. Best of luck and thanks for reading and commenting!
DeletePaulie
Welcome to the site Charlie Brown
ReplyDeleteHines-Allen has made strides. She has a good all around game now. Rebounds, blocks and can shoot with both hands.
ReplyDeleteAnyone notice Taja Coles right handed (offhand) drive to the hoop in traffic for two?
That layup was key to getting the 14-0 run started. I'm glad she had a good game in front of her family and friends. If BJ can't get her shot straightened out, TC will be needed.
DeleteGa Tech knocked off UNC last night and NC State beat Duke in Cameron. Conference is getting interesting. I still think that the Cards are third best in the ACC behind Notre Dame and Syracuse but the Cards do get Notre Dame at the KFC YUM! Center on a Sunday...so Louisville fans really need to pack the house for that one.
ReplyDeleteNick O.
Maj Forsburg was one of the refs last night and she's a dark-haired clone of Dee Kanter.
ReplyDeleteIf someone had told me before the game that Louisville's starting guards would not make a basket all night and the Cards would still win by 18, I would have had to question that. Good job Durr and Cole off the bench.
ReplyDeleteCurtis Franklin
I have confirmed from sidearm sports that we can watch Sunday's North Carolin State game audio and video for free by going to thé NCS website and viewing the game. It will be free because NCS decided to make it be so.
ReplyDeleteI still go to AJ and Matt for pre-game, half and post even while at the home games.
This is good news for the fans without the subscription. NC State looks poised to give the Cards a good battle in the high school gym the teams will be playing in.
DeletePaulie