Emily Engstler goes around Notre Dame's Olivia Miles for two of her nine points (Mike DeZarn photo).
Mykasa Robinson (standing) and Ahlana Smith like what they see as Uofl breezes past Notre Dame (Mike DeZarn photo).

No substitute for a good defense. Just ask Notre Dame.

The University of Louisville women’s basketball team put its defense to good use Sunday, the third-ranked Cardinals rolling to a 73-47 win over 18th ranked Notre Dame before an appreciative crowd of 10,056 partisans at the KFC Yum! Center.

Chelsie Hall keeps getting better, adding 13 points in the win (Mike DeZarn photo).

“We did a fantastic job of following the scouting report,” said Coach Jeff Walz. “It was (assistant coach) Stephanie Norman’s scout and she did a fantastic job.”

“We know when a (opposing) player is going to go right or left,” said guard Hailey Van Lith.

“We watch film, study it,” said Kianna Smith. “We all try to hold each other accountable the day before and we come in together knowing what to expect. It’s part of the winning culture here.”

Emily Engstler was everywhere it seemed to Notre Dame, forcing the Irish into five turnovers. She also had nine points, 12 rebounds, five assist and two blocked shots.

“Emily is in the same category as Angel McCoughtry. She contested a three point shot. Put on the breaks and made a full sprint to for a rebound,” said Walz. “Her motor is always going. She has great court vision and it’s off the charts. She makes it look easy.”

Kianna Smith and Hailey Van Lith captured scoring honors for the Cardinals with 17 and 16 points, respectively. Chelsie Hall continued to turn up her game, adding 13 points and five rebounds.

“This really a fun group to watch. We passed the ball really well. Everyone contributed that’s the thing I’m really proud of,” said Walz. “We just played really, really well defensively.”

Notre Dame was limited to 20 of 63 shots from the field for a paltry 31 percent shooting while committing 16 turnovers that led to 22 points for the Cardinals.

Hailey Van Lith leading the Cardinals’ scoring with 17 points (Mike DeZarn photo).
Two Louisville fan favorites providing feedback to each other during the early going (Mike DeZarn photo).

 

A young UofL fan is on top of the action in the crowd of 10,056 at the KFC Yum! Center (Mike DeZarn photo).

A future Cardinal cheers on her heroes against the Fighting Irish (Mike DeZarn photo).
Former UofL great Asia Durr greets a fan during a break in the action (Mike DeZarn photo).
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By Ed Peak

Ed Peak has covered UofL sports since 1973, as a student reporter, as a correspondent for the Courier-Journal, a freelancer for the Associated Press and United Press International, as well as ScoreCard, Fox Sports and CBS radio.