Such a nice reprieve, commenting on one of the most positive things going on at the University of Louisville these days. Some 7,014 fans enjoying still another win by the UofL women’s basketball team.
Word from Las Vegas before the game, however, was that UofL was a 43-point favorite. Not what one wants to hear minutes before tipoff. Not conducive to an all-out effort.
The Cardinals would struggle to shake a stubborn Clemson team ranked dead last in the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Tigers entering the contest having won only one of 11 ACC games this season.
With UofL trailing 19-18 with a little over four minutes remaining in the first half, Coach Jeff Walz seemed to need a technical foul to get his team going. Walz didn’t take kindly to the technical, vigorously protesting the call, flirting with an ejection. Calming down in the nick of time.
The Cardinals would come to life, taking a 20-19 lead on a jumper by Arica Carter. They would put some distance between them, thanks to three straight field goals by Sam Fuehring. taking a 32-21 lead to the locker room at the intermission.
Asia Durr and Fuehring would capture scoring honors with 15 and 14 points, respectively. Jazmine Jones would add 10 points, along with three assists. Myisha Hines-Allen would have six points and four rebounds.
A most encouraging night for sophomore Kylee Shook, getting 23 minutes of playing time. Making the most of every minute, earning the second double-double of her career with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
The women are 25-1 overall, 11-1 in the ACC, hopefully getting the sluggishness out of the collective system before the showdown against top-ranked and undefeated UConn at Storrs, Conn. on Monday.