University of Louisville
Vermont
Louisville Falls to Vermont
November 19, 2004 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 19, 2004
The University of Louisville women's basketball team fell to host Vermont 59-56 in the first round of the Banknorth Classic at Patrick Gymnasium. Sophomore Jazz Covington led the Cardinals with 18 points and 13 rebounds while Missy Taylor, in her debut, scored 16 points and pulled down 11 rebounds. Katie McNamara led the Catamounts with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
"It was a frustrating game because we knew what they were going to do," said head coach Tom Collen. "We knew they were going to play zone and we were prepared for that. We put good shooters on the floor and they just missed shots. We weren't going to get the ball to Jazz and Missy anymore than we did.
"I think when you start the season, everyone is searching for their role. Last season Sara (Nord) would hit a few threes and force a team out of the zone. But we never forced them to get out of the zone. They were able to stick with their game plan. We did a good job at taking care of the ball and getting on the boards, we just couldn't make outside shots."
The Cardinals started the game with back-to-back baskets from Taylor. But Vermont cut the lead with an early three to keep the game close. Vermont used a 7-0 run midway through the first half to go ahead 24-17 with 8:10 left in the half. Covington scored back-to-back layups and Taylor connected on a layup to cut the lead to one with just under five minutes remaining.
Vermont countered with a three-pointer from Ashleigh Cuncic. Once again Covington connected on back-to-back layups to tie the score at 29 with just two minutes remaining. McNamara hit two free throws before the half give the Catamounts a two point lead at the half.
The Catamounts started the second half with a 8-0 run in the first three minutes. Connie Neal nailed a three at the 15:11 mark to end the Cardinals' scoring drought. Vermont kept a comfortable lead until the 5:58 mark when Covington connected on her first basket of the half to cut the lead to 54-47. Bradley drove in the lane and pulled up for a jumper to cut the lead to five with just over four minutes remaining.
Chrissy Battram made a layup to push the lead to seven at the 4:11 mark. Jessica Huggins hit her first trey of the game with just over three minutes remaining to cut the lead to 56-54. McNamara connected on a jumper to push the lead to six at the 2:11 mark. Senior Angel Bradley then connected on back-to-back jumpers to cut the lead to 58-56 with a 1:32 remaining.
Neal then stole the ball down the floor and took a three-pointer but it hit the rim. Huggins grabbed the offensive rebound and shot a three and missed. McNamara grabbed the defensive rebound with 57 seconds remaining. Cuncic hit one of two from the free throw line sealing the three-point victory for the Catamounts.
Louisville finished the game shooting 34.3 percent from the field and just 12.9 percent from behind the arc while Vermont shot 40.7 percent from the field and 21.4 percent from behind the arc. The Cardinals outrebounded Vermont 44-36.
The Cardinals will face the loser of the Auburn/UW Green Bay game in the second round of the Banknorth Classic at 3:00 p.m.
