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Tempers Flare In U of L-Rutgers Women’s Game

By Paul Sykes

In a game marred by technical fouls and shoving matches at the end, Rutgers blew by the University of Louisville women’s basketball team 72-52 in the regular season finale.

With her team up by 20 with seconds remaining in the game, April Sykes decided to drive to the basket instead of letting time expire. Gwen Rucker, who had earlier bloodied Sykes’ nose with an elbow shot, fouls her one more time. Rutgers sub Erika Wheeler shoves Rucker, Rachel Story shoves Wheeler and the whistles erupt.

The officials give Rutgers the ball out of bounds with five seconds remaining. Sykes proceeds to hurl the ball off Monique Reid’s back during the in-bounds play. More shoving and both teams are sent to their benches. Sykes should have held the ball and let the clock run out. It’s what you do when you’re up by 20 points.

In basketball action:

Rachel Story had a career high 16 points for Louisville, most of it mop up duty but an impressive performance, Monique Reid with 13 after sitting eight minutes in the first half with foul problems … Keisha Hines with nine turnovers, mostly traveling violations … Becky Burke with three three-pointers but playing matador defense.

With its 16th loss in 29 games, Louisville will enter the Big East Tournament as the No. 13 seed, playing in the first game on Friday at noon against Pittsburgh, the 12 seed.

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Props For Tom Jurich

Tom Jurich, vice president of athletics at the University of Louisville, recently received recognition for his contributions to women’s athletics during the Lady Cards-Rutgers basketball game. Under his leadership, the women’s programs have enjoyed unprecedented growth while reaping tremendous dividends in terms of student life and respect for the university.

Of course, Jurich’s contributions extend far beyond women’s athletics. His efforts have led to advancements in U of L sports that his predecessors and the university’s longtime fans would have considered pipedreams less than a couple of decades ago.

Here’s the video of the ceremony shown during the Lady Cards-Rutgers basketball in January:

Thanks to Julie Hermann for the video.

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