University of Louisville
SYRACUSE
No. 5 Louisville Defeats Syracuse, 78-57
February 03, 2009 | Women's Basketball
Feb. 3, 2009
Final Stats | Quotes | Photo Gallery 
Angel McCoughtry scored 18 points, four below her average, and was 6-of 15 from the field, but she also had a career-high 20 rebounds and five other players scored in double-figures for No. 5 Louisville in a 78-57 victory over Syracuse on Tuesday night.
The double-double was McCoughtry's 10th of the season.
Deseree' Byrd of the Cardinals (21-2, 8-1 Big East) had 12 points and tied her career-high with 10 assists and Candyce Bingham had 11 points and 11 rebounds.
"Oh my goodness!" McCoughtry said, looking at the box score after the game. "I'm just so proud. I really am. Oh my goodness."
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It was the first time the scoring was spread around like that for the Cardinals this season.
"That'll normally give you a good night," Cardinals coach Jeff Walz said.
It was the Cardinals' 16th win in 17 games, the lone blemish, a blowout loss at No. 1 Connecticut.
Even if his star player doesn't have a big scoring game, Walz said he knows McCoughtry has other ways to help the team and she makes it easier for everyone else.
"I'd love to play with the kid because you get open shots," Walz said. "Everybody's so worried about her and they should be."
McCoughtry had two assists and three steals and the rest of the Cardinals were 23-of-47 from the field.
Chandrea Jones led the Orange (14-8, 3-6) with 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Nicole Michael had 14 points and six rebounds.
Syracuse kept the game close early as there were 11 ties and lead changes in the first 14 minutes.
"I thought we did a very good job after about the first 8 or 9 minutes," Walz said.
The Cardinals took the lead for good on a 3-pointer by Becky Burke with 6:14 to play in the first half. It started a 20-6 run and the Cardinals led 44-28 at halftime.
Taking better care of the basketball was a key as Louisville extended and maintained its lead the rest of the way. Nearly half of the Cardinals' 20 turnovers came in the first 7 minutes of the game.
"If we take care of the ball, we can score," Walz said.
The Orange fought back early in the second half but could only get as close as 45-35 after a layup and free throw by Jones.
The Cardinals had their largest lead of the game at 78-56 after a layup by Keshia Hines, with 1:52 to play. She scored 14 points.
Walz announced after the game that guard Brandie Radde was turning her attention to getting into medical school and would no longer be with the team. Radde had started six games and was averaging 19 minutes and 3.8 points per game.
"The kid's got some high goals and expectations for herself and I know she'll go on and do very well," Walz said.
