By Glypie Grider
Sophomore sensation Jazz Covington totaled 45 points and 23 rebounds in two weekend games for the University of Louisville women’s basketball team. The Cardinals defeated Tulane 70-51 Sunday afternoon in Freedom Hall, and Southern Miss 80-65 Friday night in Cardinal Arena.
Freshman forward Yuliya Tokova led the Cardinals with a career-high 20 points against the Green Wave in front of 2,777 fans.
“Yuliya Tokova continues to shine. The kid just gets better and better,” U of L head coach Tom Collen said. “She gets nervous. She had a sub-power performance on Friday night, but she came out [on Sunday].”
Senior Angel Bradley finished with a double-double in her final collegiate appearance in Freedom Hall. Bradley had 10 points and 10 rebounds. “She played her heart out,” Collen said. “She really came alive for us in the second half.”
The Cards led 28-17 at the half despite poor shooting from the field. Tulane jumped out with an early lead, but an 8-0 run sparked the Cards to the 11-point lead. Covington scored all eight Louisville points during the run.
Tulane struggled offensively during the first half and went seven minutes without a point. The Green Wave was held to 25 percent field goal shooting and was outrebounded 25-15 during that same period.
Tulane stepped it up a notch and cut the lead to five twice in the first seven minutes of the second half. Tulane continued to dominate the board and cut the lead to 47-43 with less than 10 minutes remaining. But the offensive spark fizzled and Tulane went scoreless for seven minutes, enabling Louisville to make an 18-0 run to clinch the victory.
Covington combined with junior Jessica Huggins for 31 points during Friday night’s 15-point victory over the Southern Miss Eagles. Covington posted 26 points and 13 rebounds, while Huggins finished with a career-high 25 points.
“I really have to give Jess [Huggins] the credit. She stepped her game up a notch and really led the team,” Covington said.
In front of a capacity crowd Friday night, Huggins was seven for nine and connected on a career-best six three-pointers.
“She came into my office on Monday and said, ‘Coach, I know I haven’t been playing well. I don’t need a lecture. I just want you to know that I know that I need to do better. I need to make sure that you’re not going to give up on me,’” Collen recounted.
The Cards led by a narrow 33-29 margin at the half, but outscored Southern Miss 47-36 in the second half.
The Cardinals are 19-7 and 10-3 on the season. Louisville will close out the season as they host Cincinnati on Friday in Cardinal Arena at 7 p.m.
