More resemblance to a Hulk Hogan wrestling production at times than basketball, but the University of Louisville defeated Rutgers 87-82 in two overtimes in the quarterfinals of the Big East women’s basketball tournament.

The Lady Cards withstood every body blow the thuggies, er, ladies from Piscataway dished out. McCoughtry was pummeled to the floor on every layup it seemed, but always jumping back up, ready to go again. The officiating crew, of course, was oblivious to extracurricular activities. She wound up with 35 points despite the battering.

“You have to come prepared for a battle,” McCoughtry said afterward. Angel wasn’t kidding, nor was she smiling.

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Sonja has some more details here on her game-watching experience (not for the meek).

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By Charlie Springer

Charlie Springer is a former Louisville editor and sportswriter, a public affairs consultant, a UofL grad and longtime fan.

5 thoughts on “Battered But Better Than Rutgers”
  1. In Florida with my sick sister and got to watch the Lady Cardinals take the blows from Rutgers – don’t like them even a little bit. I was so proud of our Ladies and they were so tough. Class wins out….congratulations on today’s win…now on to beat Pitt. Go CARDS!

  2. Angel was 14-17 from the line. The Cards were no innocnet bystanders with the thug tactics for once, though. Angel had elbows flying every time she cleared a ball or pass and I thought Gwen Rucker was going to knock Kia Vaughn’s teeth loose with a clearout early in the second half.

    We thuged back for once. Actually, it was good to see.

      1. I wish the women’s game thug tactics were just limited to the rough and tumble Big East. Sadly, they are not. It’s in the SEC, Big 10, Big 12 and ACC. I watched Auburn v. Tenn. the other night with Sonja. Even Pat Summitt has resorted to it to contain opponent’s key players.

        It’s a practice that has been around for years. Can’t compete athletically with the competition? Bang, bump and bust them up to contain them. See a basketball unsecure? Try to rip it away from the opponent and dive to the floor to tie it up or retain it. Other team’s main rebounder killing you on the boards? Throw a hip into her every time she jumps or try and slap it out of her hands when she comes down with it. The AAU coaches lead the way in teaching it, and the college coaches applaud it when it works.

        Speed will always beat braun. Walz stresses speed. But, when push comes to shove..he’s beginning to get a group of girls that won’t back off if they can’t out-transition someone.

        Fortunately, it isn’t a part of the WNBA philosophy. If there’s a beef, they just start swinging. Angel will finally get less time being flung around like a ragdoll when she ascends the ladder but she might want to take a few boxing lessons.

        For Keisha, Gwen, Mo, Mary, Becky, Tiera and Janae it looks like three more years of putting on the hard hat and punching the clock. Refs aren’t calling it and coaches are gaining from it.

  3. Was able to enjoy the broadcast by WKRD while driving home from W. KY. Picked it up in Leitchfield, believe it or not, although kinda scratchy. The hills around E-town blocked the broadcast for a while but once past that, the play-by-play and commentary made for a thrilling ride on I-65. Thanks to that station for their coverage. All the way, Lady Cards!!!

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