WBB Finally Shakes Pesky Tennessee 89-65-- SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 BALANCED SCORING IN WIN OVER VOLS IN CHAMPIONS CLASSIC

Louisville WBB put six players in double figures and went on a 26-13 fourth quarter run to defeat Tennessee in Brooklyn Saturday afternoon. 

A first half where the Cards build a 41-36 lead after being tied at 17 at the end of the first quarter.  

Halfway through the third quarter, though...the outcome was still in doubt, as UofL was battling to build a substantial lead, but Tennessee had other plans.  The contest was tied at 48 halfway through the third quarter...after a Mia Pauldo jumper for UT...and then, suddenly, the Cards "got it" and took control of the game. . . 

Finally, ithe Cards took control of the game...going on a 13-4 run to end the third quarter and hold a 63-52 lead after 30 minutes. Key in that stretch was two straight layups by Skylar Jones off UT turnovers...and then four other Cards getting baskets or free throws. It was a classic UofL "shut 'em down on defense and out-run them to the basket on offense" style of ball that the Cards have benefitted from for years...and the Brooklyn crowd loved every minute of it. 

The Cards ended the contest on a 36-8 run to completely erase any Vols hopes of coming back again. The fact that the Vols couldn't buy a three either benefitted the Cards. UT was 6 for 25 from beyond the arc. 

The fourth quarter was all Cards. They took the final stanza 26-13 and UT was a demoralized, beaten and dejected squad by the time Taj Roberts made a layup with 1:35 left in the game to put the score at 89-61

As mentioned, scorng was well-distributed ...with Taj Roberts getting 18 points, Imari Berry 15, Reyna Scott 12, Mac Randolph 11, Skylar Jones 10, Laura Ziegler 10.Elif  Istanbulluoglu had nine and Anaya Hardy had the first two baskets of the game...but didnt score after that. 

MY NEW FAVORITE BURGER JOINT IS TODAY'S "FRED"

THE FRED REPORT

F -- Free throws -- The Cards went 8-13 from the charity strips...for 61.5% . "The Elf" needs to get in a little extra work making the freeones...going 3-5 . NO LETTER. 

R -- Rebounding --  59-37 in favor of UofL. 14 for elif Istanbulluoglu and 13 grabs for guard Imani Berry. CAPITAL "R"

E -- Effort/Execution --  20 turnovers is a palm-to-the-forehead stat...but the Cards did shoot a sizzling 49.3& from the floor. A good effort from the bench once again, with 37 points. 20 assists on 37 made baskets stands out, too....but I'll just award a lower case "e" 

D -- Defense -- UofL held UT to 34.2 % from the floor and had 12 steals They also allowed just seven second chance points. With the "run away" win, I'll say the defense sttod up  when needed and I'll give them a CAPITAL "D"

FINAL FRED REPORT:    _-R-e-D

The Cards next outing will be on New Years Day, when they host SMU. 

paulie