Shelby Harper leaves her mark

Monique Reid would get 28 points and Shoni Schimmel 11.

But the outlook not good as Shelby Harper enters the game, replacing Becky Burke with 16:33 to go in the first half.

Seventh-ranked DePaul had jumped out to a 10-3 lead over the University of Louisville women’s basketball team. But that was B.S., before Shelby, the 5-foot-3 dynamo, begins infusing a sense of urgency into the Lady Cards.

Within 33 seconds, the tiny Harper, who more closely resembles an American Girl doll than a basketball player, blocks the shot of a DePaul guard trying to post her up. Teammate Monique Reid grabs the rebound, scoring on the other end. Score: 5-12

12:48 — Harper gets defensive rebound.

11:55 — Harper gets defensive rebound, Shoni Schimmel hits a 3-pointer. Score: 12-12.

9:29 — Harper with the assist, Antonita Slaughter with the 3-pointer. Score: UofL 18-14.

3:47 — Harper with another defensive rebound, fouled, hits two free throws. Score: UofL 20-17.

2:48 — Harper with an assist to Keisha Hines, Score: UofL  22-17

Between the highlights, a couple of questionable fouls and a turnover, she was running the point and making a pest of herself on defense.

Louisville would own a 26-20 advantage at the half, never relinquishing the lead thereafter in a remarkable 68-55 win over a team that entered the game with a 25-3 record.

Harper had left her mark.