Myisha Hines-Allen had shown flashes of potential during the University of Louisville’s women’s basketball team’s pre-conference schedule, leading her team in scoring three games, including a high of 17 against Kentucky.

The 6-foot-2 Hines-Allen arrived at Louisville as a McDonald’s All-American, one of three five-star prospects in the 2014 class. Through the first five conference games,  however, Myisha was averaging only 6.6 points per game. She saw only 14 minutes of playing time and contributed only four points in the loss to Florida State.

Myisha Hines-Allen
Myisha Hines-Allen

The Montclair, NJ, native was on the bench as the game against Miami tipped off, losing her starting spot. Coach Jeff Walz obviously wanted to give the freshman a chance to see what life was like on the bench, providing some time for reflection, i.e., a reason to pick up her game, become more physical.

Myisha apparently got the message.

Walz would finally send put her in at the 15:55 mark, with her team trailing 11-2.  Hines-Allen would respond quickly, scoring on a layup less than 35 seconds later, ending her team’s four-minute scoring drought. She would score 13 of her total in the first half, helping to pull UofL to within four points at the intermission.

Hines-Allen would have the game of her budding career, leading the team with 23 points, connecting on 10 of 11 shots from the field. None of the baskets coming easily against a bruising Hurricane defense. Myisha’s resurgence couldn’t have come at a better time, with Sara Hammond, recovering from a collision, seeing only seven minutes in the first half, failing to score in the game.

The Louisville women will be dangerous if Myisha Hines-Allen has finally found her groove. One won’t have to wait long to see, with Syracuse (15-5 overall, 5-2 conference) arriving at the KFC Yum! Center Thursday with a five-game conference winning streak in tow.

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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.