Xavier an intimidating team, with those beefy 6-foot-5 and 6-foot-6 All-America amazons in the middle, entering the game with a 27-2 record, a lofty No. 5 national ranking, and a No. 2 seed in the NCAA women’s basketball tournament.
A good shooting team, making good on 14 three-point attempts and 50.3% of its shots. Formidable on the defensive end, the big girls blocking eight shots.
Xavier is going home. The University of Louisville sent them home and is moving on, beating the Musketeers 85-75 on their home court where they had won 25 straight games.
The Lady Cards could have conceded this game at least a half dozen times, let Xavier pull away and still have been credited with a great effort, ending on a respectable note. Not good enough for them, not good for Jeff Walz, they wanted the win.
- Shoni Schimmel playing perhaps the best game yet in the formative stages of her college career, wanting this one badly, finding teammates under the basket, deflecting the ball, running the offense to perfection. Nothing available in the middle, so only three assists. No option but to shoot and keep on shooting, hitting 12 of 18 shots, including five three-pointers, on her way to 33 points.
- Tia Gibbs making life miserable for Xavier with seven steals, four defensive rebounds and two blocks. Sorry about that elbow but it was unintentional, with the defender leaning into her, and certainly not flagrant.
- Keisha Hines, at times the only obstacle between the basket and an All-American, simply would not allow Amber Harris to dominate, managing to contain her while collecting only four fouls.
- Becky Burke becoming the emotional leader of this team, helping out with three of three three’s.
- Monique Reid quietly collecting 13 points, but also making her presence felt on a move decking an Xavier defender, having a profound positive impact on her team’s psyche.
- Charmaine Tay just keeps getting better and better, introducing a slashing move to the basket, shoving it down their throats, adding 11 points. Six rebounds, three steals and two assists, too.
The Lady Cards are advancing to the Sweet 16 once again, overcoming a major obstacle along the way.
And if the guys could learn to shoot free throws like the Lady Cards they would still be playing.
Just back from Cincy. She is now “Judge” Schimmel…because she rules the court. Glad she’s getting the chance to play near her Indian reservation and tons of her fans in Oregon.
Can’t help but wish it was in the YUM Center. Sweet Sixteen, here come the Lady Cards!
Did you get any video from the game?
No video this game, Creighton. Maybe we ought to get Paul a flip cam.
LOL. Getting me a flip cam and teaching me how to use it are two different things. You’re talking about Mr. Electronic Gimmick challenged here. I can’t even make toast right…I can see me with something that requires skill…
Great game for the Lady Cards, tremendous game to watch. They could have folded many times but it wasn’t in them. Beating a really good team. Good show. Good luck, Lady Cards.