University of Louisville
VILLANOVA
Cardinals Get Past Villanova with a 53-50 Win
January 26, 2010 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 26, 2010
Box Score | Quotes | Photo Gallery 
Louisville, Ky. - The University of Louisville women's basketball team defeated Villanova 53-50 in Freedom Hall on Tuesday evening in a game that came down to the wire. Louisville improves to 11-9 overall and 3-4 in the BIG EAST. The Cardinals had three players score in double figures led by Monique Reid with 20 points and seven rebounds. Keshia Hines registered her second double-double of the year with 11 points and a career-high 14 rebounds, while Becky Burke contributed 11 points.
Villanova had three players score in double figures led by Kyle Dougherty with 12 points and three assists. Maria Getty added 10 points and eight rebounds, while Laura Sweeney also added 10 points and seven rebounds. The Wildcats fall to 11-8 overall and 0-6 in BIG EAST play.
The Cardinals found themselves in an early hole down 7-2 at the 16:50 mark. Louisville used a 12-6 run over the next seven minutes to take their first lead of the game, at 14-13 with 9:17 remaining in the half.
A Getty 3-pointer on the next possession gave Villanova a 16-14 lead. The teams traded baskets on the next two possessions until the Cardinals were held scoreless for three minutes. Freshman Asia Taylor ended the drought with a free throw at the 4:44 mark, sparking a 5-0 run to put the Cardinals back on top leading 22-21 with 2:56 to go in the half.
The Wildcats knocked down two unanswered 3-pointers to take a 27-22 lead with 1:20 remaining in the half. The Cardinals were able to cut into the lead with 0:16 left in the half off a jumper from Reid, but Dougherty was able to knock down a last second jumper to give Villanova a 29-24 lead at the break.
Louisville finished the half shooting 36.0 percent from the floor, while Villanova shot 41.4 percent. The Cardinals outrebounded the Wildcats 19-17 in the half.
The Cardinals came out with much more intensity using a 7-2 run to tie the game up at 31 with 16:27 remaining. Louisville took their first lead of the half when Hines knocked down two free throws at the 12:31 mark for a 37-36 lead.
In the first 11 minutes combined, Louisville outscored Villanova 15-7 using their defense to affect the Wildcats shooting allowing them to hit only nine shots in the entire second half. Leading 41-40 with 8:05 to go, the Cardinals were held scoreless for the next four minutes. During that span, the Wildcats used an 8-0 run to give them a 48-41 lead with just 4:24 remaining.
Louisville was patient and relied on their free throw shooting to cut the lead to one (50-49) with 1:06 left in the game. On Villanova's next possession, Emily Suhey missed a 3-pointer, but Sweeney was able to secure the offensive rebound causing the Cardinals to have to foul, putting Getty on the free throw line. Getty missed the front end of a one and one, allowing Louisville to come down and call a timeout to setup a play.
Out of the timeout, Reid got the ball at the top of the key and drove down the lane, past her defender scoring the go ahead basket putting the Cardinals on top 51-50 with 0:14 remaining. The Wildcats had two opportunities in the end before Hines secured the rebound and was fouled with 0:01 left. She made both free throws and the final heave by Suhey came up short giving Louisville the 53-50 win.
Louisville finished the game shooting 31.4 percent from the floor, while Villanova shot 34.4 percent. The Cardinals won the rebounding battle, outrebounding the Wildcats 44-38. Louisville only committed 11 turnovers and 12 personal fouls, both season lows for the team.
