University of Louisville
Ohio State
Women's Basketball Holds Off Ohio State 67-66
December 14, 2001 | Women's Basketball
Dec. 14, 2001
Columbus, Ohio - The Cardinals held on to defeat Ohio State 67-66 in the first round of the Women's Sports Foundation Tournament on Friday night. Louisville used an 8-2 run at the eight minute mark to go ahead 50-54 and take their largest lead of the game.
Kara Kessans led the Cards with 20 points and Sara Nord chipped in 14 points and 10 assists. Forward Courtney Coleman led the Buckeyes with 16 points.
"It was a tale of two halves," said head coach Martin Clapp. "We made adjustments at the half and played outstanding defense in the second half."
The Cardinals held the Buckeyes scoreless for a four minute stretch to cut the lead to 46-44 at the 12 minute mark. Kessans hit a jumper, Nord hit a three-point shot from about 28 feet out, and then Kessans converted a three-point play to put the Cards up 50-52 with just over eight minutes remaining.
"We hit some big shots in that stretch," said Clapp. "And the bench came in and really gave us a lift."
The first half saw four ties and two lead changes as Ohio State ended the half with a 41-35 lead. The Cardinals were outrebounded 22-9 while the Buckeyes shot 61.5 percent from the field.
The Cardinals will play No. 18 Colorado State in the championship game of the Women's Sports Foundation Tournament. The game will be aired live on Insight channel 8.
