University of Louisville
Northern Iowa
Women's Basketball Drops Northern Iowa 81-53
November 27, 2009 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 27, 2009
Cancun, Mexico - Sophomore Monique Reid scored 17 points in the second half to lead Louisville to an 81-53 win over Northern Iowa in the first round of the Cancun Thanksgiving Classic on Friday evening. Three Cardinals scored in double figures with Ashley Rainey adding 11 points and Deseree' Byrd finishing with 10 points. Reid and Rainey finished with 10 rebounds and 13 rebounds respectively for double-double performances. Kim Wypiszynski led Northern Iowa with 12 points.
Northern Iowa took an early 3-0 lead on the Cardinals to start the game. Byrd tied the game after knocking down a 3-pointer at the 17:42 mark. The lead switched hands a few times before the Panthers took a four point lead at the 10:41 mark with a 3-pointer by Lizzie Boeck. LaToya Johnson hit a trey to cut the lead to one on the next possession.
The Panthers kept a slight lead until Asia Taylor knocked down two free throws to tie the game at 17 with 5:24 remaining. The Cardinals then went on a 16-6 run to end the half, taking a 29-23 lead into the locker room. Louisville finished the first half shooting 38.5 percent from the field while Northern Iowa finished shooting 32 percent from the field. The Panthers outrebounded the Cardinals 19-17 in the first half.
The Cardinals took control of the game in the second half, outscoring the Panthers 52-30. They started the half on a 7-2 run to take a 36-26 lead with 17 minutes remaining. The Panthers cut it to nine with a 3-pointer by Jacqui Brocka at the 14:49 mark but would get no closer. The Cardinals then went on an 8-0 run to take a 34-51 lead with just over 12 minutes left to play. Louisville closed out the game with a 17-8 run.
Louisville finished the game shooting 47.4 percent from the field, including 54.8 percent in the second half. Northern Iowa finished the game shooting 34.5 percent from the field. The Cardinals outrebounded the Panthers 41-36. The Cardinals forced the Panthers into 28 turnovers, converting them into 24 points.
The Cardinals will face Old Dominion in the final round of the Cancun Thanksgiving Classic Saturday, Nov. 28 at 8:15 p.m.
