University of Louisville
10-2
WASHINGTON STATE
3-6
No. 14 Louisville Routs Washington St., 75-39
December 18, 2012 | Women's Basketball
Dec. 18, 2012
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Jeff Walz Postgame
LOUISVILLE, Ky. The 14th ranked Louisville women's basketball team defeated Washington State 75-39 on Tuesday night in the KFC Yum! Center. The Cardinals finished the game with four players in double figures. Sophomore Sara Hammond led the way by netting a game-high 18 points, sophomore Bria Smith added 13 points, junior Shoni Schimmel finished with 12, and sophomore Jude Schimmel recorded 10. Lia Galdeira led Washington State with a team-high 13 points.
The first half was a game of stretches for Louisville. The Cardinals dominated the offensive glass early and went on an 8-0 run to open the game. The Cardinals were able to get on the board first when junior Antonita Slaughter gathered an offensive rebound for a put back, which was then followed with consecutive baskets by freshman Megan Deines. Washington State ended Louisville's run when Tia Presley knocked down a jumper at the 15:20 mark. After missed opportunities by both teams on the offensive end, Shoni ended Louisville's scoring drought by burying a 3-pointer with 13 minutes left to play. Following Schimmel's three, Washington State was able to cut into Louisville's lead by tying the game at 11 after Galaderia connected on a three and then followed the next possession by finishing a layup in traffic. Louisville was able to regain the lead and never looked back when Smith gathered a missed shot and finished the play by completing the put back to put the Cardinals ahead 13-11.
Smith and Hammond sparked Louisville's second run during the seven minute mark of the game. Hammond was able to knock down an elbow jump shot and then received a pass from Smith for a lay up to increase the lead to 19-11. Smith then drove around a Washington State defender to absorb some contact but maintained her focus to finish the layup and knocked down the free-throw to complete the three point play. Shoni ended the first half by connecting on a three as the time expired to give Louisville a 35-14 lead over Washington State.
The Cardinals closed out the half on a 19-2 run over the Cougars. Louisville out rebounded Washington State with a 21-17 margin, while also forcing them into 19 turnovers. Galderia led the Cougars with seven points and Hammond recorded 12 points for the Cardinals.
Katie Grad for Washington State wasted no time by connecting on a three to start the second half. Deines then responded by stringing a pair of baskets together, one of them included a three of her own to make the score 40-19. Hammond was able to register six quick points by burying a one handed three in the corner with the shot clock winding down and completing a three point play at the foul line. This sparked the Cardinals into yet another run which featured great ball movement. Slaughter collected a rebound and found Shoni who sent the ball to a sprinting Smith for an easy two points, to put Louisville up 51-23. Next possession Smith returned the favor and found Shoni on the wing and connected on her second three of the game. Once again Smith displayed her floor vision when she was swarmed by Washington State defenders in the corner but was able to find freshman Courtnee Walton for her sixth assists of the match. Louisville was able to string together a few more buckets to help defeat Washington State 75-39.
The Cardinals out rebounded the Cougars 46-34, with 20 of them coming off of offensive rebounds. Louisville ended the game by forcing 24 turnovers which led to 30 points including 12 fast break points. Hammond had a game-high 18 points and added seven rebounds while Smith contributed 13 points, six assists, four rebounds, and three steals. Washington State was led by Lia Galdeira with 13 points and Katie Grand with 11 points.
Louisville will take to the court again this Friday, Dec. 21 at 7:00 p.m. against Wagner College at the KFC YUM! Center.
