University of Louisville
HARTFORD
McCoughtry's Triple-Double Highlights Cardinal Romp
December 10, 2008 | Women's Basketball
Dec. 10, 2008
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) _ Angel McCoughtry has taken such a liking to what coach Louisville Jeff Walz calls his "mad dog press" that his senior star has started barking while she's on the court.
Seriously.
Considering the way McCoughtry helped the 12th-ranked Cardinals shut down Hartford 70-42 on Wednesday, there are worse ways to get motivated. McCoughtry had 18 points, 10 rebounds and 10 steals for the fifth triple-double in school history as Louisville (8-1) overwhelmed the Hawks.
"We bark and it gets the team fired up, and that's how we get our steals," McCoughtry said.
The Cardinals forced 28 turnovers, held Hartford to 36 percent shooting and took control during a 25-6 run midway through the first half. The burst was fueled by Louisville's aggressive half-court trap that kept the Hawks (5-5) on their heels.
"We defended them extremely well," Walz said. "We have been trying to try to teach the kids you've got to have an attitude and part of it is 'Do whatever you have to do, try to scare somebody.' I don't care, intimidate them."
During one sequence McCoughtry's woofing got so loud one of the Hawks ended up passing her the ball.
"You've got to find ways to be aggressive and we want them to be more aggressive," Walz said. "We do have a lot of passive players."
Just not McCoughtry, who admits not all of her teammates have come around to her unusual defensive techniques.
"I'm the leader," she said. "One day, I'll get all of them to do it."
Diana Delva led Hartford with 14 points and nine rebounds, but the Hawks couldn't keep up after a hot start gave them an early five-point lead. The Cardinals quickly tied the game at 10 and took off, with McCoughtry and point guard Deseree Byrd leading the way.
Byrd scored 13 points and grabbed six rebounds in 22 minutes. Not bad for a player who spent part of the weekend in the hospital after suffering from severe headaches. Byrd said the headaches were "nothing major" and that she doesn't expect them to return.
"Des brings energy, she brings excitement," Walz said. "And she's a matchup problem for the other team."
Brandie Radde broke out of a shooting slump to score 11 points as all 11 players saw extensive action after the Cardinals built a 38-20 halftime lead, which grew to as much as 35 in the second half.
McCoughtry joined former Louisville star Sara Nord as the only women's player to record multiple triple-doubles. She reached the mark during a three-minute stretch in the second half when she had steals on four consecutive Hartford possessions.
Walz joked afterwards that it would take a small miracle for the sometimes trigger-happy McCoughtry to get a triple-double with points, rebounds and assists. He's working with her on trying to get better about sharing the ball, but knows there are bigger things to worry about.
"Hey, if you can get (a triple-double) with 18, 10 and 10, keep shooting," he said.
