LIBERTY AND ACES GET WINS -- DUKE NEWS -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 LIBERTY UPSET SKY

The New York Liberty have been looking better lately and last night their "team play, take the three" style paid off with a 101-99 win over the Chicago Sky. Breaking a seven-game losing streak, New York was close at the half, trailing just 49-46 and used a huge third quarter to take the lead. NYL outscored Chicago 32-26 in the third and held on at the end to get the win. 

Former Louisville WBB great Jazmine Jones had another nice outing for New York with nine points, three rebounds and three assists in 23 minutes. She's getting more accustom to playing at the point-guard spot and had a nifty steal in the contest to help the Liberty get the win. Kylee Shook contributed eight points, three grabs and had an assist for New York. FIve players reached double figures for Walt Hopkins team -- led by Amanda Zahui B with 22. 

This one came down to the wire, Chicago tying it in the fourth at 99-99 and Layshia Clarendon hitting two free throws with less than a second remaining to improve New York to 2-12 on the season. With the loss, Chicago drops to 10-5. 

LAS VEGAS 96 - DALLAS 92

The Las Vegas Aces are now 11-3 after holding off the Dallas Wings 96-93. Angel McCoughtry's squad jumped out to a 52-43 lead at the half and withstood a late Wings run to hold on the second place in the league. 

McCoughtry had a good evening in limited playing time with 12 points in 16 minutes. She went 3-3 from the floor and 6-7 at the line for the Aces.

The Aces used the strong game of A'ja Wilson (26 points) to dominate the inside and get this "W". Las Vegas took only six three-pointers in the contest, hitting two -- while the Wings went 15-40 from the deep. 

DUKE SAYS NO TO FANS 

Duke University became the second ACC school to put a ban on fans to start the fall athletic season. Yesterday's announcement puts the Blue Devils in the "empty bleachers" category with Syracuse. 

I hate to see the move, but I fully understand it. What would normally be big tickets events on both campuses ultimately increases the risk and spread of COVID-19.  

I have the feeling that we're just beginning to see the dominoes fall in the ACC. Louisville submitted a plan drastically reducing attendance for football and Governor Andy Beshear didn't seem too thrilled with the numbers, remarking that the Miami Dolphins were bring in less than the 18,000 the Cards proposed. And, NFL squads are beginning to announce no attendance for the first couple of weeks at their contests. 

Let's face it. Attending football as a fan while being social distanced and wearing a mask just doesn't seem like things that go together well. Add alcohol and and hours of tailgating into the mix and you're coming up with a dangerous scenario. 

True, these probably wouldn't be as problematic situations at, let's say, a field hockey or soccer match on a college campus, but, why take the chance? These are college student-athletes, not paid professionals.

If the intent is to keep the student-athlete safe and competitive, all precautions are going on (mostly) on campus to ensure their safety and protection from COVID, why throw all that out the window by introducing fans into the scenario?

I get it, we all want sports and we all want to watch our favorites compete. It is really going to permanently destroy anyone's fandom and fervor, though, if you have to do it via TV, internet, radio or other devices for a short while? I think that's better than cancelling things all-together, like some Power 5 conferences have done.

Sadly, it's also most likely going to affect what we do here at Cardinal Couple as far as "on-the-site, live game coverage" and post-game interviews. We haven't officially received the word on that yet, but, we're willing to "take one for the team" if we're asked to. 

This, of course, puts the direct onus on the athletes now. Will they follow the protocols, stay away from campus parties?  I certainly hope they would. Weighing the chance to compete against the chance to socialize with pals has become a new and important decision in the life of the student-athlete, and any college student, in 2020. 

Let 'em play. We'll stay away, if that's what you say. So they can stay....healthy. 

paulie