University of Louisville
Auburn
Cardinals Defeat Tigers, 76-60
November 20, 2004 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 20, 2004
The University of Louisville women's basketball team used a 17-0 run midway through the first half to defeat the Auburn Tigers 76-60 Saturday afternoon in consolation game of the Banknorth Classic. Five Cardinals scored in double-figures with Jazz Covington leading the way with 17 points. Missy Taylor led the Cards on the boards with nine rebounds and Covington pulled down eight. Auburn's Natasha Brackett led all scorers with 20 points.
"We were really pleased with today's game," said head coach Tom Collen. "Auburn was ranked in almost every preseason poll and when you get a convincing win over a team like that it tells you where potential lies. I am proud at how we handled their pressure. I thought that it was a good sign that Connie Neal and Jessica Huggins could step back up and hit the shots they did today. They could have felt sorry for themselves but they stepped it up instead.
"We showed today what we need to be successful-- good inside-outside play. I thought that we really grew as a team. We had a decision to make, we could have hung our heads or step up and play. It was a big step for a young team. We still have a long ways to go but it was a step in the right direction."
Sophomore guard Connie Neal led the 17-point run nailing three three-pointers. Louisville held Auburn scoreless for eight minutes to move ahead 33-13 with just over five minutes left in the half. Louisville went into the locker room with a 43-22 lead at the half.
The Cardinals finished the first half shooting 58.1 percent from the field and 62.5 percent from behind the arc. The Louisville defense held the Tigers to just 25.8 percent shooting from the field and 33.3 percent from behind the arc.
Auburn used a 7-2 run to start the half to cut the Cardinal lead to 46-35 at the 15 minute mark. The Tigers kept cutting into the Cardinal lead, coming within eight points with just over eight minutes remaining. Back-to-back baskets by Taylor kept the Tigers at bay, pushing the lead to 67-55 at the six minute mark. Jessica Huggins hit two of four from the line and nailed a three-pointer to seal the Cardinal victory.
After a poor shooting night, the Cardinals finished the game shooting 50.8 percent from the field and 35.3 percent from behind the arc. The Tigers finished shooting 33.9 percent from the field and 38.1 percent from behind the arc. The Cardinals outrebounded the Tigers 37-36.
