By Derek DeBurger
Despite a valiant effort, Louisville dug themselves too big a hole against the NC State Wolfpack to climb back out.
One of the toughest games of the regular season for the Cards would prove to show both how far they’ve come and how far they could go.
At the beginning of the game, Louisville showed that they were up for the challenge. The Cards did a great job consistently scoring on the Wolfpack and forcing turnovers. The only real problem in the back-and-forth quarter was Aziaha James. James scored 19 of the Wolfpack’s 28 points in the first; almost all nine points from the field came right before the second quarter, giving the Wolfpack some momentum and a six-point lead.
After quickly hitting their first shot attempt of the quarter, Louisville would go on to miss their next nine shots from the field. Coupled with putting too much emphasis defensively on James and allowing a plethora of players to get wide open for easy baskets, the Cards found themselves down as much as 21 points in a nightmare of a second quarter.
Louisville trailed 47-30 at the half.
It felt like Louisville was playing with house money in the second half, despite the game still being within reach. NC State came out at halftime loose, and ready to secure a win. Louisville, however, didn’t go away, slowly but surely cutting into the deficit. James was held scoreless in the third quarter, and Louisville cut the lead to 10 going into the fourth quarter off of a jumper from Jayda Curry.
After a quick basket from guard Nyla Harris to start the fourth quarter, the lead was down to eight. The Wolfpack started to get a little bit nervous. Louisville was able to force turnovers once again, and with 5:55 left in the game, the lead was down to six. From that point, NC State could score just enough to keep the Cards at arm’s length. Louisville had some chances to dig into the lead with open threes but could not hit when it mattered the most.
Louisville would lose 67-77.
Outside of the disaster that was the second quarter, Louisville played very well. The problems that persisted throughout the other three quarters can be chalked up to the talent and coaching of NC State.
NC State’s speed at the guard positions caused serious problems for Louisville, and it would be something that needs to be addressed when playing other teams in the ACC with quick backcourts. Monday was also one of the first times that the lack of a go-to scorer hurt Louisville. Curry tried to take that responsibility but struggled early on and missed crucial shots down the stretch.
For a program of Louisville’s stature, there are no moral victories, but you do have a better idea of how the team has progressed through this point in the season.
Louisville falls to 19-4 on the season and 8-2 in the ACC.
Photo Courtesy // Karl B. DeBlaker, AP
