University of Louisville
Pittsburgh
Cards Earn 71-63 Road Win at Pittsburgh
February 08, 2006 | Women's Basketball
Feb. 8, 2006
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - The University of Louisville (15-6, 6-4) women's basketball team notched another BIG EAST road win with a 71-63 victory over Pittsburgh (15-7, 6-5) at the Peterson Events Center Wednesday night. Three Cardinals scored in double figures with senior guard Connie Neal leading the way with 17 points. Katie Olson added 16 points and Jazz Covington finished with 14 points. Xenia Stewart led Pittsburgh with 14 points.
"I was very pleased with our second half effort," said head coach Tom Collen. "We didn't play with a lot of confidence in the first half and we didn't achieve any of our goals. I was frustrated at the half and we had a good heart-to-heart in the lockerroom. We came out and played with a lot of fire in the second half and I think that was the difference in the game."
The Cardinals got out of the gate well, jumping out to an 11-4 lead in the first four minutes of play. Olson led the early offensive charge with seven points. Louisville went on to build a 19-10 lead with 13:37 remaining in the half before an 11-2 Pittsburgh run. The Panthers tied the game at 21 with 6:21 left in the half. Mercedes Walker scored in the paint to give the Panthers their first lead of the game at 23-21. Both teams traded baskets before Pitt's Mallorie Winn nailed a three-pointer to go up 32-29 with 1:28 left. Pittsburgh finished the half with a 34-31 lead.
Neal came out of the break on fire, scoring the Cardinals first six points to tie the game up at 38 with 15:50 remaining. Covington scored on a three-point play to give the Cardinals a 45-42 lead and Louisville never trailed again. Covington's play sparked an 9-2 run for the Cardinals and built a 54-58 lead.
Louisville finished the game shooting 46.4 percent from the field and Pittsburgh finished shooting 34.6 percent. The Cardinals finished the game connecting on 68.0 percent from the foul line while the Panthers finished 46.2 percent from the line. Pittsburgh outrebounded the Cardinals 58-32. The Cardinals and UConn are the only teams to beat the Panthers without winning the battle on the boards.
Louisville will be back in action on Sunday, Feb. 12 as they host Syracuse for a noon matchup.
