CARDS SLIP BY NC STATE TO ADVANCE TO SEMIS
Cardiac Cards live up to the name.
The Cards started slowly and found themselves on the short end of a 28-18 score after the first period. Asia Durr had sunk three threes in the ten minutes but wasn't getting much offensive punch from her teammates. The Cards would trail 32-18 after two minutes gone in the second session...but start a gradual comeback...fueled by eight straight Durr points over the next five minutes. Two free throws from Mariya Moore got Louisville within six at 34-28 with 1:54 until half and a Durr jumper and two charity tosses completed the 14-2 run that had the Cards within two at the break....34-32. Durr had 21 points and was carrying the Cards on her back offensively to stay in this one.
The Cards held a 20-14 edge on the boards but had 11 turnovers...compared to just one NC State miscue after twenty minutes.
Louisville had begun to pick up the defense pressure and it continued in the third period. Only 27 points were scored in the third frame...and Louisville had grabbed a 47-43 lead with 3:05 to play on a Hines-Allen jumper...when the shots went cold and the Cards clung to a 47-46 lead with 10 minutes to play.
It was a lead they would hold onto until Dominique Wilson sank a deep three with 1:35 to play...making it 58-57 Pack. The Cards would get a break when a ball saved and tossed by Asia Durr while falling out of bounds was ruled a kick and possession went back to Louisville. That set the stage for Hines-Allen getting fouled on a jumper and sinking the go-ahead points.
Coach Walz, Myisha and Asia discuss the win:
www.theacc.com/page/accwbb40-press-conferences
HOW DID FRED DO?
Rebounding -- 36-25 to Louisville. Ten for MHA...who had a double-double with 16 points as well. Good enough for us to send out a capital "R".
Effort/Execution -- Loved the way the Cards battled back and stayed in this one but that rough start...which had Walz doing cartwheels...says just a small case "e" here.
Defense was great at times and at other times it looked like the Cards had forgotten what it was for part of the game. It came through when Louisville battled back into it, though...and with just 58 points allowed and 35.1%shooting by the Pack...we can hand out a small case "d".
FRED COUNT: F-R-e-d
SO....
The Cards dodged a bullet here on Friday afternoon and beat a WolfPack team that was devastated by the loss and upset about the call of a kicked ball when they had retained possession late. "The phantom" kicked ball. You decide. The refs did and the Cards won. NC State had a chance to win, they couldn't score. Credit Asia Durr for her game. Credit Myisha Hines-Allen for her second half and free throws. Credit Mariya Moore for five huge assists. The other six Cards that played had seven points, seventeen rebounds and no three attempts. A total of 26 minutes for the three freshmen who played. Whatever works. Not ready to go home. Not hearing that bell. Tomorrow...who knows, against the Irish.
Today, though...it's a "W'. An exciting and thrilling finish.
Survive and advance however you can. Keep pounding that hammer on that brick wall...and eventually...it will fall.
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ACC PICK EM
Two of you are a perfect 11-0.
Congratulations to Cards 78 and Makers Not Shooters. Eight of you are 9-2.
paulie
xxxxx
Wow! what a game cards move on waiting for the winner.
ReplyDeleteUnsung heroes Mariya Moore & Sam Fuehring the X factor.Go Card's Good win.
MLW
I think my blood pressure has finally returned to normal,
DeletePaulie
Good summary, Paulie. One minor correction - those NC State Wolfpack women won't be too happy to be called TarHeels.
ReplyDeleteI've seen lots of comments about slow starts, lack of effort, etc. both this game and others, but I've got to tell you, I've watched more non-Louisville WBB this season than any season that I can remember and I've got to tell you, Cards aren't the only highly-ranked team that goes through long dry spells,or has a quarter like the first one today where an otherwise pretty good defensive team allows 28 points on 57% shooting. It's more common than you might realize. That's one of the things that make UConn so good - that never seems to happen to them. Kudos to Geno.
The kicked ball definitely bailed Durr out - I'm surprised she wasn't called for traveling. But the ball definitely hit Williams's lower leg and the trail official, right behind Durr, called it immediately.
Looking forward to tomorrow. Everything to gain, nothing to lose. Today's win surely sewed up a Top 16 seed and home court first round.
LOL. Right you are. Duly noted and changed.
DeletePaulie
Go Cards beat the Irish!
ReplyDeleteMLW
I Agree it's UConn and the rest of the league.Uconn is the model team,thinking outside the box. I thought the cards would be close to the model this year.But that's OK maybe next year.
ReplyDeleteMLW
Louisville showed a lot of heart fighting back and if there is anyone out there who still thinks Asia Durr is not a warrior...you are living in a separate reality
DeletePaulie
xxxxx
Good game Cards played hard still missing that point guard,Cards win the ACC next season.
DeleteMLW
PS Asia no doubt!she's prime time.Glad she's A Cardinal.
DeleteThis team show heart.
So true. UConn and then everyone else. I used to not like UConn being so good. Now I do because you see great basketball. Notre Dame has some nice cuts to the basket today. We had a great play from Asia to Mariya to Myisha on that highlight break. Asia was pretty amazing keeping us in it.
DeleteWe played them even for 3 and a half quarters. Next year they lose Lindsey Allen so we might have a shot at them if we get scoring from Shook and Jaz Jones comes into her own to give us more options. Right now Myisha, Asia and Mariya are not enough to handle Notre Dame. Feel bad for Cortnee. Her confidence is shot. Last year she was making those intermediate jumpers at least.
ReplyDeleteI Agree cortnee shot has regressed ,last year she was taken that mid range jump shot with confidence.
DeleteNext year with a steady Jazmine,Kylee & Ciera
Hopefully Ciera Johnsons will give the cards that post threat down low round the basket.
MLW
Missed bunnies all season long! Hard to watch a 5th year senior making those mistakes.
ReplyDelete