WBB Falls to Iowa 97-83 -- Softball gets sweep over NC State -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

ROAD ENDS IN SEATTLE FOR WBB...IOWA 97-CARDS 83

Louisville women's basketball ran into the buzz-saw also known as Caitlan Clark last night in the Great Eight of the NCAA Tournament and Clark went for the first 40-10-10 in NCAA WBB Tournament history. That's points, rebounds and assists, if you didn't know. So, Iowa moves on to the Final Four and the Cards see their season end in a 14 point loss. 

Actually, it wasn't that close. Iowa pushed the lead to over 20 points at times in the fourth quarter, before a last-chance,, 13-1 run by Louisville cut the Hawkeye lead to 10. The run fell short, though,  and Iowa waits to see whether it is South Carolina or Maryland they'll face in the Final Four in Dallas

I don't write a great deal or volumes about losses, and I won't in today's column. I was proud of the way the Cards did break from the gate and jump out to a 8-0 lead. The Hawkeyes composed themselves, though, and they actually came back to win the first quarter, thanks to their 9-0 run, 25-21

Louisville came out hot in the second quarter, hitting four of their first five shots, but Iowa was also hot and went on another 9-0 run. Hailey and the Cards were trying to stay in it and Van Lith scored the final six UofL points in the half, cutting Iowa's lead to 48-43.

The Cards struck early in the third with the first four points to cut the Iowa lead to one, but the Hawkeyes retaliated with the next nine points. Louisville then went cold from the floor, shootings just  28% for the quarter, Iowa led by as many as 21 and the quarter ended with the Hawkeyes comfortably ahead 78-59.

The Cards won the fourth quarter 24-19 but were only able to slice into the Iowa lead, not vanquish it. Iowa held their largest lead of 22 points a minute and half into that final quarter and ended up shooting 53% for the game to get their 30th win of the season. 

Still...we're all very proud of the Cards WBB squad here at Cardinal Couple and what they did this season. Sometimes, you just run into someone who is having that hot night and beats you. A lot of great memories built this season and a lot of good times had. 

THE FRED REPORT

"Clark just scored again, Fred. In the bus on the way back to 
their hotel"

FREE THROWS -- Louisville went 15-18 from the line for a sparkling 83%. Some of us think the Cards deserved a few more chances at the line, but...that wasn't how the game was called. We'll award a CAPITAL "F" here for cashing in on the free ones, Hailey was 8-10 and "O" hit all six of hers. 

REBOUNDS -- Iowa squeaked out a 33-32 edge on the boards. Cochran led all with 14 of the grabs. Louisville missed a lot of shots at the end of the game trying to catch up and that's why Iowa took the rebounding category. My rule is, if you don't come out best in the boards battle, you don't get a letter. 

EFFORT/EXECUTION -- Iowa had plenty in the tank and ran y the Cards somewhat tentative defense most of the game. The Cards were trying and they tried five different people but no one could stop Clark. No letter here....I award letters for wins, not losses

DEFENSE -- Louisville allowed almost 100 points. By far, the highest point total allowed in the season .Louisville never quit, but they got beat on fast break points 18-9  and that made a pretty big difference in the final score. No letter here

FINAL FRED TALLY:  F-_-_-_

So, a season ends for the Cards, and it was quite the enjoyable season. Think of how many teams would have relished the opportunity to have played for a Final Four bid this season. Think of how many would have been so happy to have a Van Lith of Cochran on the court for them. Or had the coaching genius of Jeff Walz

Hold your head high, Cards fans. Your team gave it their all. They just got beat by someone better. 

POST GAME WALZ AND PLAYERS PRESSER

POST GAME IOWA (IN ENTIRETY) )

SOFTBALL RALLIES IN EXTRA INNINGS TO DEFEAT NCST 3-2

Louisville Softball prevailed earlier in the day to defeat North Carolina State 3-2 to get a sweep of the Wolfpack in the series. 

This one a nine-inning affair, as NCST was able to push a run across in the top of the seventh to tie the game up at 2-2  After. UofL couldn't produce in the home half of the inning, extra innings were mandated. 

The Cards had their chance to take the lead and win the game tn the bottom of the eighth, but some daring baserunning results in outs instead of runs or runners in scoring position. With one out, Daisy Hess drew a walk and went to second on a Easton Lotus single. She also attempted to get to third. ...but, the throw easily beat her to the bag and she was tagged out. Ally Alexander singles next, and Lotus attempted to score from second. It didn't happen again, the throw from the outfield beat Lotus to the plate and the catcher tagged ger out to end the inning. 

So, the Cards...after retiring NCST behind Taylor Roby's arm in the top of the ninth, went to work again in the bottom of the ninth. Pickle Winkler began the Cards batting with a single to right. Paige Geraghty laid down a bunt and was thrown out at first, advancing "the Pickle" to second. Korbe Otis hit what proved to be the game winner -- a single to left field that Winkler was able to reach home safely on and the Cards had won.  

POST GAME AUDIO WITH HOLLY APRILE AND PICKLE WINKLER BELOW

Holly

Pickle

paulie