By Sonja Sykes
One could call it ugly, and it was at times. The University of Louisville women’s basketball team blowing a 13-point first half lead, looking desperate with seven minutes to go and up by one point. A burst at the end, the Lady Cards prevailing over bulky Baylor 56-39, advancing for the first time every to the NCAA’s Elite Eight.
- Senior leadership. With Angel McCoughtry and Candyce Bingham doing all the work in the second half, the Cards survived the Bears runs and give the duo 37 points and 27 rebounds. A double double each. Batman (22 points, 12 boards) and Robin (15 points and 15 boards) save Derby city again.
- Rebounding. The Cards following the missed shots, scoring on second chance opportunities and keeping the Bears from penetrating the paint at the end of the game…the very strategy that allowed them to climb back in the contest. 24.4% shooting and 2-23 from three-point land for the beleaguered Bears.
- Grace under pressure. Give Baylor credit for fighting back early in the second half and nearly grabbing the lead, but give more credit to Louisville refusing to fold and taking advantage of the Bears’ dead legs later in the game. And closing out with seldom used freshman forward Janae Howard on the floor…a interesting move but one that didn’t hurt the Cards during their game ending 18-2 run over the last eight minutes. 16 to 6 in second chance points advantage.
32-4. A memorable season so far, but more work ahead. Next, the winner of Vandy vs. Maryland. Survive and advance. It’s what this time of year is all about…regardless of how pretty it looks. 7 p.m. Monday. The Magical Mystery Tour also continues for the Lady Cards.
Great win for our Lady Cardinals – they didn’t play well and that 6 minutes without scoring (approximate) was horrible. If they play like that against Maryland, they will get blown out. As they say, a win is a win and they were able to pull out a victory. They HAVE to turn it up their next game. Sure hope they do. Wouldn’t it be awesome to have our men and women in the Big Dance? No matter what happens today with our guys or tomorrow with the ladies…win or lose they have given their all this entire season and we fans thank them for the way they represented our university and our city. It’s been quite a run and we are praying it ain’t over yet. Go Cards and just keep on going…….