Cards WBB 63 - Boston College 53

[Sonja]

Louisville women's basketball overcame a horrible first quarter and got 18 points from Kianna Smith and 16 from Hailey Van Lith to defeat Boston College 63-53 Sunday afternoon at Conte Forum in Chestnut Hill, MA.

The win was Jeff Walz 400th win in his time at UofL.

The Cards (15-1, 5-0) looked like a 0-5 Conference team instead of the #2 team in the nation with an inconspicuous beginning that put them behind 20-10 after 10 minutes of play. It was time to ramp up what UofL has hung their hat on all season -- defense-- and that paid immediate dividends to start the second quarter. An 13-1 run gave UofL a 23-21 lead in the affair, a Chelsie Hall jumper putting the Cards ahead for good and the Cards won the quarter 22-5 to hold a 32-25 halftime lead.

Louisville went from 5-15 shooting in the first quarter to 9-16 shooting in the second. Kianna Smith had nine first half Cardinals points, never leaving the court and Ahlana Smith came off the bench to add seven.

The Cards took the second half 31-28 in a half where BC climbed back to just a four-point deficit a couple of times but the Cards had a 15 point lead with just 1:04 left in the fourth quarter.

It was a much improved Eagles squad than Louisville faced in the KFC YUM Center back on Dec 30th, a 30-point loss for BC.

Defense saves the day, the full court pressure, making it difficult for the Eagles to get into an offensive, half court set. And, the Cards guard played well -- Walz made the decision to play with a smaller lineup in the second quarter with Emily Engstler playing the post and Louisville responded to it.

The stakes get higher Thursday night with a showdown between the top two teams in the conference--Louisville and NC State-- on Thursday in Raleigh.

--sonja--

 

[KozmasAgain]

I don’t know why we get off to a slow start every game but we have been able to overcome it so far. I don’t know if we will be able to do that against UNCST. I have watched them play a couple of times and they are impressive. They can beat you from inside and from the outside.

In order for us to win we will have to play a really good defensive game the whole way. If you slip up and loose your player for a split second they will burn you. They beat us last year and they have everybody back from last year. I hope this is the game we put it all together from start to finish.

 

[Sonja]

I don’t know why we get off to a slow start every game but we have been able to overcome it so far. I don’t know if we will be able to do that against UNCST. I have watched them play a couple of times and they are impressive. They can beat you from inside and from the outside.

In order for us to win we will have to play a really good defensive game the whole way. If you slip up and loose your player for a split second they will burn you. They beat us last year and they have everybody back from last year. I hope this is the game we put it all together from start to finish.

#4 NCST's two losses (South Carolina and Georgia) were losses that just about anyone else in DI would have potentially suffered as well. They are currently the #1 and #13 teams in DI. I see their quality wins being against #6 Indiana and #12 Maryland. Cunane will be a matchup problem for the Cards and the Wolfpack is shooting over 40% from beyond the arc -- making 8.5 a game. NCST averages 79.7 ppg. It's hard to see this one turning into a defensive, first team to 50 battle.

--sonja--

 

[ulcards1]

Tough match up for us, mainly because of their advantage at the 5. Cunane is very skilled offensively and gets lots of calls at home. Olivia and Liz will have 2 fouls on the bus ride over to the game. Cunane had 16pts/6rbs (our 5's combined for 10pts/16 rbs/5 turnovers) in their 74-60 win in Louisville, heading a very balanced attack. In the rematch in Greensboro in the ACC tourney, Cunane was one women scoring show for NCST w/20pts , 8 FT's and 9rbs vs. Olivia and Liz combining for 12 pts and 9rbs.

I'm not dissing Olivia and Liz, but they need to step up and do a better job on Cunane. She seems kind of stiff and robotic at times and we sure have lots of film against her. We can't double on her because they are all threats from 3 line, but I'm confident that we can ugly it up and maybe take them out of their comfort zone. Or not.

 

[armensmith]

I understand your point of view, Sonja, and I really do not disagree with you or anyone else about the merits of NC State. They are formidable, but there must be others who have a favorable view of the Cards from the poll voting. The Cards, however, do have two things going for them, and one is Jeff Walz and his preparation of his team. The other is a formidable defense that was somewhat subdued recently due to a bout with covid which is hopefully finished. Will this be enough to be competitive?

 

[WahooCard]

Cunane is a very good player. But remember that both Liz and O were novices last year. My money is on the two of them giving Cunane a bit of schooling. Not to mention NC State eyes will be looking to our perimeter to halt E, the Smiths, Nikki and HVL. And if their eyes drift to the edges of the arc, Kasa will be taking the charge.

personally can’t wait.

 

[Bardman]

Only point of correction…Liz was not a newbie.

 

[WahooCard]

Bardman - Correct because of COVID tend to think of Liz having only one year under CJW. Actually she has had two years.

 

[FlavRunit]

I can’t find a scenario that points to us winning at this point of the season. State attacks from All five positions. We still need to establish another consistent scorer.

 

[WahooCard]

Flav - As Ted Lasso says “Believe”!

 

[Bardman]

I think we can beat them. Playing there gives them the advantage for sure. If we get a game where ‘combined’ O and Liz give us 20/10 I like our chances.

 

[Sonja]

I've attended games in their facility before (Reynolds Coliseum) and it's similar to going to Memorial Barnyard in Lexington. Their fan base can get really loud, deafening loud if the Pack get on a run.. Louder than KFC YUM Center.

Moore has a squad that is capable of beating us, sure...but we have a secret weapon that I'm not sure even the coaches know about (per Wahoo Card) in "Nikki". LOL

--sonja--