Monique Reid's 23 points and 13 rebounds not enough as the Lady Cards fall to the Irish 89-52.
The game at least started out on a positive note. Louisville led early 6-5 and as we made preparations to go see the final men's game in Freedom Hall and listened on the radio. Notre Dame, though, had no such notions of getting involved in a close one with Louisville. They went on a 10-0 run to take a 15-6 lead.
By the time we pulled into the incredibly jammed Freedom Hall parking lot around 12:45, that lead had grown to 38-16 at halftime and there was no need to hang around in the car and listen to the second half. (The atmosphere yesterday in the Hall was amazing and I don't think I could provide a better report on the men's win over Syracuse yesterday than the ones out there. Make sure and click on the link on our site and read Charlie Springer's recap at www.uoflcardgame.com)
-The usual culprits combined to send the Cards home. Pressure defense, forcing Louisville into 15 first half turnovers and 23 for the game and the Cards simply refusing to hustle, get back and stop the transition game. If I had taken a drink every time announcer Jim Kelch mouthed the word "layup" for Notre Dame in the first half...Paul would have had to sling me over his shoulder and carry me into Freedom Hall for the men's game.
Louisville shot 37% for the game and only 29% in the first half. Notre Dame scored at will on the Cards in both halves and ended up at 59% for the contest.
-Asia Taylor joined Reid in double figures with 11 points but only 1 rebound in 22 minutes of action. The Irish out rebounded the Cards by 10 for the game.
-The Irish had 15 steals against the Cards..many key ones when they put together three runs of 9-0 or better to make this one a non factor after twenty minutes.
Notre Dame advances to play #4 St. John on noon Sunday. They are looking for a bit of payback after a loss at St. John late in the regular season gave the Red Storm the #4 seed and forced the Irish to have to play 4 games in 4 days. The winner draws UConn on Monday.
The season ends for the Cards...a season full of injuries, suspensions, controversy and disappointment. The future looks brighter for Walz's crew but dedication to off season work and conditioning will eventually determine just how far the Lady Cards will be able to climb back up the ladder in 2010-11.
Jeff Walz promises " a changed, improved and a hard working team" for Lady Cards basketball next season. Ultimately, though...in the end, it will be up to the returning players and the incomong freshmen to carve out the next slice of Cardinal Basketball history.
In other second round action...(and, yes I did go 4-4 in predictions):
#9 seed Syracuse becomes the only team that played on the first day to advance to the quarterfinals with a hard fought win over #8 seed Providence 76-71. They get UConn today for their efforts. No doubt that UConn rolls (yawn...) in one that probably won't be close.
#6 Rutgers romped #14 Cincinnati 70-44 and moves on to play #3 Georgetown. This matchup has the potential to be a tough, physical fight in tennis shoes. Both teams don't back down or give an inch. Too close to call in this one, but I'll go with the Hoyas with the fresher legs.
#7 DePaul sent #10 Marquette back to Milwaukee 64-54. The Blue Demons advance to face #2 WVU today. I do expect DePaul to give the "Eers" a battle but will probably fall short.
Written by Sonja
3/6/10
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