CARDINAL COUPLE

CARDINAL COUPLE
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Monday, December 13, 2021

CARDS 64 - CATS 58 -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 THREE IN DOUBLE FIGURES IN WBB WIN OVER UK


Kianna Smith is presented her 1,000 pt. ball 

Another season, another Louisville women's basketball win over Kentucky. 

Another close affair, the Cards having to overcome a 54-53 UK lead with 3:37 left in the game, but...to the delight of 12,167 fans in the KFC YUM! Center...the Cards ended the contest on a 11-4 run and #7 Louisville improved to 8-1 on the season. 

Chelsie Hall led UofL with 15 points and Ahlana Smith and Hailey Van Lith added 13 each in the win. Credit a Cards 32-28 point edge in the paint, 21-9 edge in points-off 21 UK turnovers and holding UK star Rhyne Howard to just nine points on 3-13 shooting to give Louisville their fifth straight win over UK. The Cards won the battle of the guards on a night where Olivia Cochran left in the third quarter with a blow to the head and Liz Dixon saw just seven minutes and had just two points. In a game of runs, it was Louisville's final one that spelled the difference. 




A tightly called contest where 36 fouls were whistled, three technical fouls were issued and Kianna Smith fouled out with eight minutes to go. The "over-attentive" refereeing drew the ire of the Cardinal faithful -- Cardinal favorite Eric Brewton seemed to be on a mission to call the slightest hint of any contact and UK, for all their determination to hang with the Cards, seemed intent on giving the ball back to Louisville. The Cats had 23 turnovers and the Cards 10 steals. 

Louisville did build a 19-13 first quarter lead, but managed just two points in the final five minutes of the second quarter to go in down by one at halftime 33-32. A final five minutes of the first half that started with the Cards holding a 30-22 lead, but 1-5 shooting and a questionable technical foul called on Olivia Cochran after blocking a UK shot and looking at a UK player led to two Howard free throws. Let's order a set of horse blinkers for "O", I guess. 

 



It wasn't the best of nights for UK's potential ALL-American. She went 3-13 from the floor, had just seven rebounds in 39:30 minutes. Constantly frustrated by the Cards switching defensive tactics, she failed to score in the second half. 

Louisville used a withering defense to hold UK scoreless for the first six minutes of the final half.  During that strettch, the Cards built a eight point lead (43-35) and outscored UK 12-6 in the quarter. UK shot 1-13 in the third and one had to be optimistic that Louisville had this one if they could continue the defensive pressure. 

UK wasn't having it. 




With the Cards leading 49-42 after an Engstler steal and layup, UK got a timeout and started to chip away at the led. A 5-0 run had them within two at 49-47 with 6:26 to go and they tied it 30 seconds later on two free throws from the aptly named Treasure Hunt. A Hall steal and layup put Uofl back ahead but UK gained a 54-53 lead after a Howard block and Dre'una Edwards layup on a fast break. 

3;37 remained in the game. How would the Cards respond? 




The answer is...impressively. Ahlana Smith knocked down a jumper and Van Lith sunk a fast break layup to put UofL back up by four. Smith nailed another jumper to make it 59-54 with 1:41 to play. Cardinal fans started breathing a bit easier. UK's final points came with 84 seconds to play on an Edwards jumper.  A clutch bucket by Van Lith (she had eight fourth-quarter points) and three Hall free throws... after a technical on UK coach Kyra Elzy (who was a bit upset that a foul had not been called on Kasa Robinson after a Howard missed shot).secured the win. 

A win that sent Cardinal fans home happy. A win that UK tried to prevent, but, ultimately, fell out of their reach, despite 7-14 fourth quarter shooting. Turnovers will get you almost every time and the Cats six miscues in the fourth were a key factor in sending them back eastward on I-64 after the game with a loss and 6-3 record. 


THE FRED REPORT


As Fred Rogers used to say, it was
a beautiful day in Cardinal-hood Sunday 


Free Throws -- The Cards went 8-12 from the charity stripe,...getting four of them from Hall. 66% does not meet our 70% standard for a letter, though, so no letter here. 

Rebounds -- We had a 37-37 tie in the board grabbing category/ Engstler led Louisville with 10....no one else had more than five. We didn't lose the battle of the boards, so I'll award a small-case "r" for the effort/ 

Effort/Execution -- A 40% shooting night for Louisville (26-65) and just 13 turnovers. I'm not thrilled about the 4-13 three point effort, nor just nine assists -- but the overall effort got the Cards the win and I'll award a small-case "e" .

Defense -- I liked what I saw on the defensive end. UK shot 38.9%. They had 21 turnovers. The Cards had 10 steals and six blocked shots, winning both those categories handily. I have.no hesitations in handing out a CAPITAL "D".  Our defense won this one for us.

FINAL FRED TALLY:  _-r-e-D





We spoke at length at the start of the seasson about the Cards depth at guards and that was the area that UofL excelled in Sunday afternoon. Ahlana Smith and Chelsie Hall had 28 points, add in Van Lith's 13 and those three guards had 64% of our scoring. And none of the three are over 5'8". 

Louisville brings in Eatern Kentucky next -- on Thursday at 8 p.m.  A game scheduled when Samantha Williams was still coaching the Colonels. A nice tune-up for UConn next Sunday. 

(PHOTOS BY JARED ANDERSON)


THEY SAID IT:

POST GAME WALZ

POST GAME CHELSIE HALL/AHLANA SMITH


paulie

    

11 comments:

  1. Great stat line for Ahlana Smith. She has really improved this season. Engstler had a quiet offensive game but, as always, played hard at both ends and made a couple key plays late. I love the way she plays.

    Walz was able to win the fourth quarter with that small lineup. Not sure that will work against ACC teams like NC State and Virginia Tech.

    It was great to hear the Yum rocking again.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Horrible officiating couldn't keep the Cards from continuing their "ownage" of the Cats.

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  3. Little guards to the rescue! We've known about Kasa's willingness to battle for awhile and Hailey took over late like we expect her to but how about Ahlana? That's the star of the game if you ask me. So fast, no fear and tuned in Sunday and fully focused. I would have liked to see Verhulst get a few minutes, but that is risky with a freshman who hasn't been through the pressure this game creates.

    Howard's body language at times looked like she just wasn't into it. A great job by UofL in defending her and keeping her guessing.

    I'm giving my blue neck workers hell at work today, of course they don't give a crap about women's sports for the most part and will throw the football win right back at me.

    Blue Lou

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  4. Took my eight 12 pks of water, drank my $2 beer and a few more and had a great time. I hate UK and I'm having a great Monday. Blue skies, sunshine and a sunny day. Go Cards!

    Curtis "Be Kind" Franklin

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  5. UofL is a class Act!
    Watching the coaches keep the girls focused after all the boooooos rained down from the 13k fans was inspired. Sam was constantly talking to the girls and trying to keep them unemotional as the the and horrible calls were rampant on this game. We watched Howard blowing kisses to our bench but they kept their cool and prevailed. Very happy to see the Women's volleyball team after being introduced stayed and watched the game near us. Seeing over 7 alumni in the stands for this important game was so Cool as well. The water trucks filled to the brim made my heart happy before the game! What an effort by everyone to keep our cool and just WIN.
    Love these Cards!

    ReplyDelete
  6. hey little birdies enjoy your win until our men beat you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey anonymous. Your Howard is an arrogant show off that disappears against good defenses. Overrated.

      Bill K

      Delete
  7. I'll take it. It was UK. Not our best effort and Uconn just might kill us on the boards but without Paige Buckets they are a team trying to find their identity.

    Can we ban that official crew like forever from calling our games? They were worse than week old stale pizza when you're hungry.

    Nick O

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hello Friends!
    Arthur Here!

    Way to beat UK! I LJKED that Ahlana Smith from her judo days. Hoped she'd end up at Clemson bur still a fan.

    I see AD and President interims are in place. What do you think? I heard that Josh speak. He says the right things.

    Are you guys going to Volumbus? I can't imagine Jeff missing it. Anyone else? Shame it has to be. On a WBB night.

    Your Friend
    # 2 Clemson Fan
    Arthur
    Greer, SC

    ReplyDelete
  9. LOL. I think Arthur meant juco days. She would probably be good at judo, though.

    Arthur, I saw your signature as #2 Clemson Fan. Have we won you over as a #1 Cardinals an, or was it a tyop?

    paulie

    ReplyDelete
  10. This team is a very good defensive team. Good win over UK Go Cards!
    Big shout out to HVL, A Smith & C Hall. Merv

    ReplyDelete

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