CARDS WBB ROMP SIUE 105-32 -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 FIVE IN DOUBLE FIGURES IN LOUISVILLE WIN

If there was any doubt or question if the Cards could bounce back after two consecutive losses, that was quickly erased Tuesday night in the KFC YUM! Center against Southern Illinois University- Edwardsville. Louisville came out and scored the first11 points of the contest and rolled to a 33-6 first quarter lead. 

OK, the competition wasn't that stellar...SIUE hadn't won in six attempts this season and the Cards more height, talent and skills. Even with Kasa Robinson (concussion protocol), Norika Konno (stomach nausea) and Payton Verhulst (entering the transfer portal) playing in the game.. The thing is, Louisville looked sharp, organized and aggressive no matter who Walz had on the floor. He played eight players in the first quarter, all 10 players he had available throughout the game and used a host of different combination. 

The Cards "went big" to start with Liz Dixon and Olivia Cochran on the court, along with Morgan Jones, Hiley Van Lith and "C.C." Carr. It was Jones with the hot hand in the first ten minutes, with 11 points and five steals. The Cards shot 60% (12-20) in the opening quarter while holding the Cougars to 3-13 (23.1%) shooting.

If you were impressed by that FIRST 10 MINUTES...the second quarter most likely overwhelmed you in joy even more. A 29-3 quarter for UofL and 13-17 from te floor (76.5%) while holding SIUE to 1-10 (10%) shooting. It was 62-11 at halftime, the Cards had already forced 19 turnovers and held a 32-2 points-in-the-paint advantage. 

(Cookies at halftime? CERTAINLY! Photo by Daryl Foust) 

Coach Walz had wanted to see a more aggressive Cardinals squad and one that went to the boards harder. He got what he asked for. Morgan Jones had 13 points, Hailey Van Lith 10 and Nyla Harris six rebounds in just 10 minutes. 

Walz continued experimenting with a variety of combinations in the second half, winning the third quarter 28-12 to make the score 90-23 and the final quarter 15-9 for a final of 105-32. In the second half, Van Lith joined the 1,000 point club at Louisville and Josie Williams turned in a strong second half with seven points in 10 minutes.  

It was a strong showing and a chance for some players who normally don't play all that much to get extended playing time. Van Lith led all scorers with 21 points, Jones finished with 17, Carr was good for 14 (including a 4-5 effort from three-point range). Cochran had 12 points and Williams added 11 to round out the double figure scorers. Harris led the rebounders with nine and Jones had an eye-popping eight steals in 17 minutes. 

THE FRED REPORT

A Beautiful Day in the neighborhood -- Fred "Mr." Rogers

FREE THROWS -- The Cards went 11-15 from the line (73.3%) and that's good enough to earn a CAPITAL "F". Van Lith was a perfect 5-5 in her attempts. 

REBOUNDS -- Louisville won the bords battle 39-23 and all 10 players who saw court time had at least one. we'll give out A CAPITAL "R" HERE, for owing the boards. 

EFFORT/EXECUTION -- The Cards shot 66.2% for the game, held a ridiculous 58-4 edge in points-in-the-paint andnhad just 10 turnovers. 24 assists on 43 made baskets is encouraging and rhey held a 17-0 advantage in fast break points You guessed it -- A CAPITAL "E" for excellent effort and execution. 

DEFENSE -- Holding a foe to 32 points and 23.5% shooting pretty much says it all, but, to add to that -- the Cards had 17 steals, forced 30 turnovers and committed just 12 fouls. A WELL-DESERVED CAPITAL "D" FOR DEFENSE.

FINAL FRED TALLY:  F-R-E-D 

(PHOTOS BY JARED ANDERSON}

THEY SAID IT


POST GAME HAILEY VAN LITH AND MORGAN JONES)

                                                     POST GAME JEFF WALZ

The Cards return to action Sunday in Lexington against rival Kentucky in Rupp Arena...we'll have more on that one as they week progresses. 

paulie