Cards Suffer First Conference Loss
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| Photo courtesy of GoCards |
Whether you want to blame the missed free throws, the poor rebounding, or the uncharacteristic hand check fouls throughout the game, there are plenty of ways to find reasons why Louisville suffered its first conference loss of the season. The Cards fell at North Carolina 79-68.
Nyla Harris scored 16 points while Olivia Cochran and Jayda Curry each scored 14 in the loss. The Tar Heels had four players in double digit scoring with Deja Kelly leading the way with 23 points, a majority of those coming at the free throw line. The Cards and Tar Heels combined for a whopping 47 fouls. The two teams combined for 54 made baskets for a comparison.
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| Photo courtesy of GoCards |
Both teams traded baskets early in the game before North Carolina went on an 8-0 run over the final couple minutes to hold a sizable first half lead. Louisville wouldn't go away quietly as they would even the score before the second quarter media timeout. Neither team could score in the final minute of the first half and they went into the break tied at 36 apiece.
The third quarter proved to be the difference maker. After Louisville scored the first four points to open up the second half, North Carolina would win the remainder of that quarter 24-9. The Cards tried to muster up a rally, cutting the deficit to five at one point, but between foul trouble and late game panicking, they fell at the end.
FRED Report
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| Fred Flintstone unimpressed with Louisville's performance |
Free Throws: 11 missed free throws. An 11-point loss. You can easily argue that the Cards lost this game at the charity stripe. They shot 12-23 for a slight average above .500. North Carolina also attempted 23 free throws but made 17 so there isn't an argument that the Tar Heels got home cooking calls. No letter. A TV game with TV Dee Kanter caalling, You just knew she'd be puffing on her pea twirler
Rebounding: Louisville was outrebounded 42-28, by far their worst margin of the season. It's hard to win a ball game when you get dominated on the boards and give up 13 offensive rebounds to your opponent. Once again, no letter.
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| Photo courtesy of GoCards |
Effort/Efficiency: Effort can be pretty subjective, but I thought the effort was there most of the game. There were more than a few questionable shot choices but Louisville never sat down and gave up and tried to play through foul trouble. The Cards also only committed 11 turnovers, a mark we would regularly be happy to see. Efficiency was not as great. Louisville shot 4-15 from three-point range. Key players spent more time on the bench in foul trouble than they did on the court. Lowercase "e".
Defense: Louisville gave up 79 points. They allowed UNC to shoot nearly 50% from the field and 43% from three-point range. Per the average women's basketball fan's scouting report, Deja Kelly and Alyssa Ustby should be some of the primary focuses on the court. The duo combined for 33 points, 14 rebounds, eight assists, seven blocks, and just six turnovers. Playing defense isn't just stopping your player from scoring. It's boxing them out on rebounds, closing off their passing lanes, and forcing them into a position they will make a mistake such as a turnover or a foul. Louisville's defense was as cold as the temperature was back home. No letter.
_-_-e-_ is a good recipe for a loss, especially when facing a ranked team on the road.
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| Photo courtesy of GoCards |
The good news for Louisville is that they're still tied with Syracuse and North Carolina for first in the ACC with one loss each. The pressure of an undefeated conference season is also gone. And in terms of NCAA Tournament resume, the Cards lost to a team that could easily be hosting the opening weekend. It's one loss. Keep your heads up and move on. Time to shift your focus to Thursday.
COMMENTARY:
Dear ACC, we don't need 47 fouls called in a game. It disrupts the rhythm of the game and puts way too many players in foul trouble. One of the three officials, Pualani Spurlock-Welsh was a part of the 2023 Championship crew that took a ton of heat for a higher than average number of fouls called in that game too. Basketball is a contact sport and hand checks and soft bodying up in the post shouldn't be called. Louisville was only called for one more foul than North Carolina, but there were a combined 10 players with three or more fouls.
Louisville (16-3, 5-1 ACC) returns home on Thursday to host Boston College at 7:00pm. The Eagles (11-9, 3-4) have been riding the struggle bus this year and got blown out by Georgia Tech yesterday.
We should have Daryl and her fiance Thomas on media row for this one with myself somewhere on the court taking pictures.
Happy Monday and Go Cards!
Jared
Normally a good free throw shooting team but not yesterday and the rebounding for UofL was pitiful. I was impressed with UNC.
ReplyDeleteCurtis "Chase down missed shots" Franklin
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ReplyDeleteGood Morning Cards Nation
ReplyDeleteCards lose to North Carolina Tar Heels cards played hard but come up short. The Cards leaving too many points on the free-throw line,when they were able to get fouls called against the Tar Heels. This was A lopsided Affair hometown team gets the calls.
Cards are careless don't take care of the basketball,turnovers plagues cards down the stretch.
On the upside it was nice seeing them play in person.
Go Cards L1C4
Cards needed Sydney outside shot make it Syd👀. 🏀🏀🏀🏀
DeleteLouisville defense not sharp as it normally is yesterday.
ReplyDeleteThe game was closer than people think the score didn't indicates that.
ReplyDeleteA couple key shots and made three throws Cards win this game.
Imho
Shout out to Elif Istanbulluoglu a talented post player, she getting on the job training.
ReplyDelete