By Whintey Spencer
The University of Louisville women’s basketball team is arguably one of the best teams in the country right now.
Recently, the Cards were victorious over the University of Cincinnati. Now, they’re ready to travel to Providence, R.I. in hopes of coming back with another win, this time over the Providence Friars.
During the first 20 minutes against the Bearcats, the Cardinals’ play definitely backed up their 19-1, 6-0 (Big East) record. Entering into the half, U of L had a comfortable 24-point lead.
Coming into the second half, that comfortable lead seemed to be a problem. The Bearcats (13-5, 3-2), were able to claw their way back into the game.
“Second half we were just too sluggish,” Angel McCoughtry, senior forward, said. “We cannot afford to do that.”
Luckily, one half of solid play was enough to avoid an upset. McCoughtry led the Cardinals with 23 points, nine rebounds and eight steals for the Cards. Swamping Cincinnati with full court pressure, in 12 minutes of play, Louisville was able to build a 20-point lead. Senior forward Candyce Bingham added 10 points and seven rebounds in just 25 minutes. Six players came off the bench, including freshman forward Monique Reid who had seven points and seven rebounds in 19 minutes. At the half McCoughtry outscored Cincinnati 18-16.
“We got them a little frustrated and passive,” Jeff Walz, U of L coach, said.
Next for the Cards, will be the Friars of Providence College (7-11, 1-4). Senior guard Chelsea Marandola leads the team in scoring at 11.3 points per game and is followed closely behind by junior forward Emily Cournoyer who averages 10.7 points per game. Senior forward Shantee Darrian leads the team in rebounding at 8.2 boards per game. The Friars have been struggling as of late but with three players averaging at or above 10 points per game in Marandola, Cournoyer, and sophomore guard/forward Mi-Khida Hankins, Providence has a good offensive rhythm.
As for the Cardinals, they have leading scorers in senior forward Angel McCoughtry averaging 21.4 points per game and senior forward Candyce Bingham averaging 11.3 points per game. After the loss of senior center Chauntise Wright to a knee injury, sophomore forward/center Keisha Hines has stepped up averaging around 20 minutes a game and shooting just about 50 percent from the field. The Cardinals have been outscoring their opponents by an average of 20 points this season. The match-up with the Friars should be a good display of the Cardinals all around game.
