Louisville women's basketball -- Champs!

LOUISVILLE DEFEATS NOTRE DAME 74-72 FOR ACC TITLE

Clutch. Accurate. Persistant. Champions. 

Lamont Russell with the shirt and the "L" 

Most that I talked to in the Greensboro Coliseum, especially those in Cardinal colors expected Louisville to win yesterday's title bout against Notre Dame yesterday. Most also thought it would be a lot closer than the 100-67 blowout Louisville put on the Irish back in mid-January.

Most were right. In a game that could most likely fall under the term "chaotic" the Cards survived against the Irish 74-72. It was a bumpy flight at times but the plane landed safely and with all passengers OK. 

" I hope it put a smile on everyone's face." Coach Jeff Walz remarked after the game. It's been a remarkable run, but we're not done yet. We've got bigger fish to fry." 

And, in keeping with the tradition of fish, frying and Lent...the Cards had the fans in the Coliseum and on ESPN most likely clutching rosary beads, mumbling Hail-Mary's and probably saying a few things that would need to be recanted for in the confessional booth.

Sam Williams gets her plaque and a handshake. 

I got into a bit of a Twitter war while attending the event over the referees. We had the best crew in women's college basketball in Dee Kanter, Joe Vazsily and Eric Brewton. They called it tough but fair and the Cards were actually making most of the fouls that were being called on them. Notre Dame simply does not foul unless they have to. They are that well trained and coached to avoid the "silly" ones.

The Irish murder opponents under the basket with their size and strength and a lot of that is brutal but legal. Positioning. And, they took it to the Cards under the paint yesterday. I do not like it when people to continually bash referees. I was a referee. You lose games because your opponent scores more points than you -- not because of a few calls that did not go the way you wanted them to. 

Just survive somehow. It's a phrase I started using when I got to Greensboro. And, the Cards did. Notre Dame had been putting up 80-90 points a game for a considerable stretch of the season. The Cards held them to 72 and no one had done that since Louisville did...back on January 11th. 

65-64 with less than a minute to go. The Cards seeing a seven-point lead vanquish. The irish with the ball. But, the Cardinal defense forced a shot clock violation. Sam Fuehring hit a layup and drew contact. Made the free throw. 68-64. 

Vince Tyra was there and was fired up

Louisville went 6-6 from the charity stripe during the final 18 seconds. Notre Dame
fouling Asia Durr on two possessions down that stretch and the junior responding with the calm, cool demeanor we've seen all year. A different look from her minutes later, tears of joy streaming down her face as she returned to the celebration on the court after going to the stands to celebrate with her family. Smiling broadly through those tears. repeating over and over again.

"I just can't believe it." 

I even got a little teary-eyed myself when I was wandering the floor after the game, taking pictures of random stuff.  Being a victim of two hours sleep in the last 48 hours, I'm finishing this up and hitting the mattress.

Confetti and a championship -- not a bad way to spend a
Sunday afternoon

Believe it, Asia Durr. Believe that your coach believes in you, as well. A rather chppy and chilly post-game handshake between Walz and Muffet McGraw. That same Miss Muffet who jabbingly referred to Durr as "that other girl" who won the ACC M.O.P. of the year... instead of her Arike Ogunbowale. It pissed Walz off. It should have, the cattiness and superiority-intended shrug off and slight that the Notre Dame coach dumped on Ms. Durr.

"I just wanted to make sure she knew who Asia Durr was. Just have the common courtesy to say her name. I don't think there's anything wrong with that. I'm going to stand up for my player. Just have the respect to say her name." 

Asia Durr stood up for Louisville yesterday, too. Straight and tall. 

Keep standing up, #25. I think Muffet McGraw will remember your name a long, long time. 

No Fred report as of now. Maybe later when I wake up. Or tomorrow. Just survive somehow. 



LACROSSE FALLS TO NOTRE DAME 14-9 

Louisville did get the big win in the multi-sport double-header Sunday in hoops but the Irish prevailed 14-9 at the Louisville Lacrosse Stadium (the Ellis) 

Coach Scott Teeter was proud of his LAX women despite the loss and thought that they played better than they did in a win over Vandy last week. Louisville took a 2-1 lead early in this one but fell behind as the first half developed. The Cards wold rally to get within one but a late flurry of ND goals set the final score as a five-point Irish win. 

Our Jared Anderson was there to capture the sights and also the post-game comments from Teeter and a couple of players. Nice job by "Mr Everything" here at Cardinal Couple and River City Cards. We think he may be twins, because he's everywhere covvering everything.  Listen below. 


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlvhZ63UWrI&list=PL8CD62AD6CE814E95


SOFTBALL 

At Ulmer stadium, Sandy Pearsall picked up her 700th win of her coaching career with a 6-0 win over Eastern Illinois to close out the Red and Black Classic. 

A strong pitching performance from Danielle Watson "Dan" and Megan Hensley and timely hitting from Madison Cousineau and Kyra Snyder in the first inning helped build a first-inning 5-0 lead and the softball squad kept E.Illinois at bay the rest of the way.

Hit and pitch Cards are 15-4 and return to the diamond on Friday against Bradley. WE'll have more on that later in the week. 

Our Jeff McAdams was there for the post-game wrap up with Coach Sandy Pearsall. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlP5JVzioQY&feature=youtu.be

Paulie
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