University of Louisville
Xavier
Cardinals Plow Through Win Over Xavier
December 22, 2004 | Women's Basketball
Dec. 22, 2004
In the midst of a snowstorm, the University of Louisville Cardinals (8-3) plowed their way to a 64-61 victory over Xavier University (4-4) Wednesday evening in the Cintas Center. Missy Taylor led the Cardinals with 18 points while senior walk-on Joleen Phillips scored a career-high 17 points, including 12 in the second half. Miranda Green led the Musketeers with 14 points.
"This was a good road win for us," said head coach Tom Collen. "Xavier is a good team that has a chance to make it to the NCAA Tournament this year, so this could be a difference maker for us when it comes to selection time. Joleen Phillips emerged as an offensive player for us tonight. I don't know what to say about her anymore, she is just a confident kid that stays calm and made some big baskets for us tonight. This wasn't our best game, but it was good enough to win. I just hope that when you read this tomorrow that we made it home through the snow."
The Cardinals built a 10 point lead early in the second half but the Xavier defense clamped down and held the Cardinals without a field goal for five minutes to tie the game at 50 with just over nine minutes remaining. The Musketeers gained their first lead of the game when Suntana Gunderson hit 1 of 2 from the line to go up 53-52 at the 8:29 mark.
The lead changed hands three times before Xavier's Miranda Green hit 1 of 2 from the line to tie the game at 60 with just over a minute remaining. Phillips scored on a layup with 50 seconds remaining to put the Cards up 62-60. With 16 seconds remaining, Taylor put the game out of reach hitting 2 of 2 from the line. Green hit 1 of 2 from the line but it was not enough for the win.
Louisville finished the game shooting 53.5 percent from the field and 50 percent from the three-point line while holding Xavier to 34.9 percent shooting. The Cardinals shot 77.8 percent from the free throw line while Xavier shot 57.1 percent. Louisville outrebounded the Musketeers 37-32.
The Cardinals will have a short Christmas break before resuming play at the Lady Griz Classic in Missoula, Mt. on Dec. 28-29.
