WBB Downs Bellarmine 82-25 -- UTM vs. Cards tonight -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

LOUISVILLE WBB ROLLS PAST KNIGHTS BY 57

It was a fun, feel-good evening in the KFC YUM Center Tuesday night, as the Louisville Cardinals rolled by Bellarmine University in the Cards regular season home opener in front of a crowd of 7014. 

Walz played all 13 on the roster at least five minutes and 12 scored in the romp. Louisville had four in double figures, getting a 12 point, 14 rebound night out of senior transfer Emily Engstler. Emily did her all her scoring in the first half, and had 10 rebounds at the break. 

The Cards jumped out to an early 20-7 lead in the first quarter and were getting it done offensively and defensively against the Knights. Walz had already gone ten deep in the roster on the court in the first ten minutes against the overmatched Knights The Cards shot 50% in the first ten minutes (12-24) while holding Bellarmine to 3-10 shooting. UofL held a comfortable 28-10 lead after the first quarter, and held an 18-2 points-in-the-paint edge. 

The Cards used their quickness to build that lead in the second quarter and Bellarmine's shooting woes continued. Engstler, Chelsie Hall and Norika Konno kept the defensive pressure on Bellarmine's guards and the Cards turned in a sparkling 20-4 second quarter effort to coast into halftime up 48-14. It was rebound missed shots or deflect BU passes, run and score in the paint for UofL. The Knights had committed 16 turnovers and head coach Chancellor Dugan had gone deep into her bench by halftime,  getting her reserves some valuable, on-court playing time and learning experience against a top 10 foe. 

The third quarter saw a continuance of UofL defensive pressure and working the offense. A slow start to the third, the squads combined for just six points in the first 5:24 of the third, but UofL held a 64-18 lead by the end of the quarter. A 16-4 quarter advantage for UofL and the only real question left was how many minutes reserves Payton Verhulst, Sydni Schetnan, Ramani Parker, Merissah Russell and Ahlana Smith would see in the final ten minutes. The starters were done for the night and had done their work. 

(Hailey Van Lith made an impromptu visit to see me last night...) 

The Cards held a reserve Bellarmine squad to just seven fourth quarter points and Ahlana Smith wowed the crowd with her skills on offense, getting eight of her10 points in the final eight minutes. Walz had Kasa Robinson (who came in for Norika Konno), Schetnan, Verhulst, Parker and Russell on the floor for the final two minutes and a Parker basket in the paint closed out the 82-25 final score.

(We feature Fred Flintstone as today's Fred. Yabba Dabba Cards ! )

THE FRED REPORT 

Free Throws -- The_ Cards only went to the line seven times in a lightly-whistled contest and Verhulst went 3-4 in her attempts. She was the only Card to make a free throw. 3-7 is 42.9% and may be the only thing one could point out as a Cards defect in the contest. No letter. 

Rebounds -- A  huge 54-24 edge for Louisville, that featured a 32-14 defensive edge. Engstler's 14 led the way, everyone who played for Louisville had at least one and Robinson showed again that she likes to go to the boards with six. She's 5'7", folks -- providing that positioning and hustle is a major key in coming up with missed shots. I award the CAPITAL "R" FOR REBOUNDING. 

Effort/Execution -- A 21 assist but 20 turnover night for the Cards, Louisville did come up with 15 steals, though, and totally dominated the fast break points (20-0), 2nd chance points (24-2) and points in the paint (52-10). Nothing but defense and run on the fast break for the Cards... I'LL GO WITH A CAPITAL "E" HERE. 

Defense -- Bellarmine shot just 7-47 for the night (14,9%) and committed 29 turnovers. Engstler had three of the Cards five blocked shots and four of the Cards 15 steals. The effort defensively was there, the Knights just made two baskets in the final 20 minutes. LET'S CLOSE IT OUT WITH A CAPITAL "D" FOR THE DEFENSIVE EFFORT. 

FINAL FRED TALLY:  _-R-E-D

(Hailey and I pleased to be one of Jared's photos !) 

Louisville was, no doubt, still hurting a bit from the Arizona loss, and Bellarmine was unfortunate enough to be "next up" for the Cards. I do believe this BU squad has some high points, and talented personnel. Guards Claire Knies, Kathleen Scott and forward Lauren Deel will prove to be a handful for the rest of the opponents on the BU schedule.

They just ran into a Cardinals squad that wanted to perform well after the Arizona loss. 

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(YORKIE SIGHTING !)

Jess Laemmle was on the ACCNX broadcast and, from all accounts I've heard, did a great job. I enjoyed catching up with her before the game. If anyone knows Walz or Cardinals women's basketball, it would be Jess. 

THEY SAID IT: 

POST GAME JEFF WALZ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkji7A81oEU

POST GAME: EMILY ENGSTLER/KIANNA SMITH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iz4kAw12enM 

(My media placard from my last trip to Martin...) 

NEXT: 

The Cards return to the court tonight to face UT-Martin in the KFC YUM! CENTER. The Skyhawks are 2-1 on the season, falling to Kansas State 44-30 and defeating North Carolina A&T 58-40 and WKU 63-57. 

All their results come from the WNIT Preseason Classic, held at Kansas State in Manhattan KS. Ex-Card Seygan Robins is still on the UTM roster and the Skyhawks are led in scoring by Holly Forbes (14.0 ppg) and Hayley Harrison (10.0 ppg).  

(PHOTOS BY JARED ANDERSON TODAY) 

Have a Wonderful Wednesday !

paulie