Jeff Walz was back in the winner’s circle again Thursday, actually standing on the Cardinal logo at center court, following an impressive win over Syracuse by the University of Louisville women’s basketball team.
Walz usually meets with his team there after every game for some final words and additional motivation. On this night, however, he didn’t get a chance. Too much celebrating, the crowd of 8,387 giving him an extended standing ovation.
The win over Syracuse was Jeff Walz’ 200th victory in eight seasons at the University of Louisville, a tenure that has included five trips to the NCAA’s Sweet 16, including two runner-up finishes in championship games. He also coached two All-Americans, 16 all-conference selections and five WNBA draft picks. His teams have lost 72 games.
The celebrating followed another tumultuous Atlantic Coast Conference game, with all the physicality that implies. The Cardinals trailed 30-29 at halftime, but started the second half with a 13-2 run, extending it to 24-4 at one point, and would outscore the Orange 49 to 28 during the final 20 minutes. The final score was 78-58, ending a Syracuse five-game winning streak and improving UofL’s record to 19-2 overall and 7-1 in the ACC.
Another marvelous performance by Myisha Hines-Allen coming off the bench again. For the second game in a row, she would score 23 points, leading all scorers again. While Hines-Allen is 6-foot-2, she scores the majority her points moving without the ball, presenting herself to her teammates.
Mariya Moore would contribute 21 points, including four 3-pointers while coming up with six rebounds. Jude Schimmel scored 13 and Sara Hammond had 13 points, 12 rebounds and a career-high eight assists.
Walz said it was the best half of basketball all season, with his team credited with 16 assists on 21 baskets. For the game, UofL had 26 assists on 31 goals.
During all the post-season celebrating, Walz was never presented the game-winning basketball. Ira Green, women’s basketball sports information director, however, was seen with a tight grip on a priceless memento for the winningest coach in the program’s history.
Congrats to Coach Walz. He’s one heck of a coach and even more a great guy. I can see many more milestones like this in his bright future. Here’s to hoping he stays with UofL for all of them.