University of Louisville
SOUTH FLORIDA
Women's Basketball Beat Back Bulls 85-72
January 25, 2002 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 25, 2002
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Senior guard Kara Kessans scored a career-high 27 points to lead the University of Louisville women's basketball team to a 85-72 win over South Florida in Conference USA action Friday night at Cardinal Arena.
The Cardinals, who vacated Freedom Hall to accomodate the Janet Jackson concert, used a 20-10 run in the final seven minutes to improve their league mark to 4-2 and 12-7 overall. After trailing 45-38 at the half, the Lady Bulls were able to cut the lead to three points at 65-62 nearing the seven minute mark. But Louisville went on a run of its own sparked by back-to-back baskets by Sabrina Minter.
The Cardinals shot a toasty 54.5 percent from the field (18 of 33) in the first half and ended the game shooting 44.6 percent and outrebounded the Lady Bulls 52-31. Carol Brown had a season-high 16 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to be part of four Cardinals to hit double digits in scoring. Senior Marju Sober pitched in 17 including three 3-pointers and Minter added 11.
Kessans scored 12 of Louisville first 14 points to start the game and help the Cardinals jump out to a 14-7 lead in the first four minutes. Louisville built an 18 point lead when they hit 36-18 at the seven-minute mark. The Lady Bulls answered with a 16-4 run to cut the lead to 40-36 with just under two minutes left in the first half. Louisville finished the half with a 5-2 run.
South Florida was led by Aiya Shepard's 29 points and seven rebounds.
Louisville will return to action on Sunday afternoon against UAB at 1:30 back in Freedom Hall.
