By Matt Bradshaw–
After a sloppy first half, the women’s basketball team turned a potential upset into a 68-61 victory over Western Kentucky.
Western did not shoot better than the Cards, 41 percent to 48 percent, but WKU made their shots when it counted. The Toppers scored 29 points off U of L’s 19 turnovers and led most of the game until the Cards took control in the fourth quarter.
Asia Durr and Myisha Hines-Allen led U of L in scoring with 16 points.
The first half saw Louisville get off to a slow start. They shot 50 percent from the field but had 10 turnovers.
“Over the past few months, coach has told me if I want to play, I have to shoot the ball well,” Sydney Zambrotta said. “I knew I had to step up and I’m happy we got the win.”
Western lead the game 38-32 at halftime. They shot the three well, had points in the paint and ran a tight defense. Their defense kept Hines-Allen silent in the paint for the most part, and Louisville had to rely on the 3-pointer to keep up.
“We were 8-of-9 from the 3-point line in the first half but down 6,” coach Jeff Walz said. “That’s concerning from a defensive standpoint.”
Louisville came out as a different team in the second half. They began to apply pressure to Western with a full-court press and played much better as a whole.
“We just had to get stops on defense, that’s where it all starts,” Hines-Allen said. “That’s how we got in the game, and offense will come from that.”
Near the end of the third quarter, Western regained the lead. They made an 11-0 run while Louisville had five turnovers during a four-minute span.
In the fourth quarter, U of L scored 24 points. Briahanna Jackson played well at the point, making some important hustle plays and finishing with 10 assists.
This win moves Louisville to 8-2. Their next match-up is against South Dakota State at home Dec. 14 at 7 p.m.
Photo by Nancy Hanner / The Louisville Cardinal
