University of Louisville
Syracuse
Women's Basketball Falls at Syracuse, 53-45
February 16, 2011 | Women's Basketball
Feb. 16, 2011
The Louisville women's basketball team fell 53-45 to Syracuse in the Carrier Dome on Wednesday evening. Tia Gibbs was the only Cardinal to score in double figures with 16 points. Erica Morrow led the Orange with 17 points and Kayla Alexander finished with 12 points. Louisville drops to 16-10 on the season and 7-5 in the league. Syracuse improves to 18-7 overall and 6-6 in the league.
Louisville came out flat to start the game. The Cardinals managed a 7-4 lead early but Erica Morrow hit a 3-pointer at the 15:74 mark to spark a 12-0 Syracuse run. The Orange led 19-9 at the 6:36 mark before Becky Burke broke the scoring drought with a layup.
Syracuse answered with a jumper by Carmen Tyson-Thomas and two free throws from Iasia Hemmingway to take a 23-19 lead. The Cardinals ended the half on an 8-0 run. Monique Reid scored on a layup and Gibbs hit back-to-back 3-pointers to cut the lead to 23-19 at the break.
Louisville finished the half shooting just 24.2 percent from the field while Syracuse shot 32.1 percent from the field. Both teams shot 20 percent from behind the arc. Syracuse held a 24-20 rebounding advantage to end the half.
The Cardinals came out with a better defensive effort to start the second half. Asia Taylor hit 3-of-4 from the line and nailed a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 30-27 with 16:06 remaining. The teams traded baskets until Burke hit a 3-pointer at the 11:27 mark to get the Cardinals within one (35-34).
Louisville kept it within one until Syracuse went on a 5-0 run to take a 43-38 lead after a 3-pointer from Morrow. The Cards responded with a 5-0 run of their own to get within one. The Orange responded with a basket on the next possession. Gibbs nailed a trey with 5:06 remaining to tie the game at 43. The game was tied again at 45 but Alexander scored on a layup with 2:51 remaining to give the Orange a two point lead. The Orange hit 6-of-8 from the line and held the Cardinals scoreless to secure the win.
Louisville finished the game shooting just 27.6 percent from the field and 19.2 percent from behind the arc. Syracuse finished the game shooting 32.7 percent from the field and 20 percent from behind the arc. Syracuse outrebounded Louisville 51-33.
The Cardinals will be back in action as they travel to USF on Saturday, Feb. 19 for a 2:00 p.m. tip off.
