University of Louisville
Valparaiso
Women’s Basketball Returns Home, Plays Valparaiso Saturday
December 04, 2015 | Women's Basketball
The Cardinals and Crusaders meet at 4 p.m. on Saturday following the men’s game.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Fresh off its upset victory and nearly a month away from home, the University of Louisville women's basketball team is returning to the KFC Yum! Center to play host to Valparaiso on Saturday afternoon.
The 4 p.m. contest will be air on CardsTV, and the radio broadcast will be available on WKRD 790 AM in Louisville, with Matt Andrews (play-by-play) and Adrienne Johnson (analyst) calling the action.
The Cardinals resume competition less than 48 hours after their 85-78 win at No. 19 Michigan State in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge on Thursday. Louisville's fast-paced start was fueled by 60.7 percent shooting (17-of-28) in the first half, including six treys. Defensively, the Cardinals forced 27 turnovers for the game.
Mariya Moore and Asia Durr each scored 20 points in the victory, combining to shoot 11-for-20 from the field and five 3-pointers. Moore had four assists and four steals, and Durr added three steals and two assists off the bench. Briahanna Jackson had 13 points, and Myisha Hines-Allen and Cortnee Walton added 12 points apiece – a season-best for Walton.
It was Louisville's 23rd win over a ranked opponent in the last six seasons.
Through six games this season, Moore is pacing the Cardinals in scoring at 16.0 points per game, a mark that is tied for sixth in the conference. Jackson (14.7) and Hines-Allen (13.3) also rank in the top 20 in the league in scoring. Jackson ranks first on the squad in steals (2.8) and has the sixth-best 3-point percentage in the conference (.438).
Valparaiso (0-5) has dropped all five of its games this year, including a 75-72 decision at home to Miami (Ohio) on Wednesday - only the Crusaders' second home game.
The Crusaders outscored Miami 41-31 in the second half, but it wasn't enough to overcome a slow start that began with just 11 first-quarter points. Dani Franklin came off the bench and had 18 points in the loss, while Abby Dean (13), Meredith Hamlet (12), and Jasmyn Walker (11) each scored in double digits. Walker also had a game-high 11 rebounds. As a team, Valparaiso had only six turnovers, but connected on just 36.8 percent (21-of-57) of its shots. More than half of its field goal attempts (30) came from long range.
Valparaiso ranks 28th nationally, first in its conference, in free throw percentage at a 75.3 percent clip. The Crusaders are 31st in the country in fewest turnovers (78).
Under the direction of fourth-year coach Tracey Dorow, who has guided the program to a 23-74 mark, the Crusaders return four starters from last year's team that went 6-24. Valparaiso was picked to finished 10th in the Horizon League's preseason poll, with Franklin earning preseason second team all-conference status.
For the latest information on Louisville women's basketball, log on to GoCards.com, or, for up-to-the-minute updates, follow the team's Twitter account at www.twitter.com/UofLWBB or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/UofLWBB.
SERIES HISTORY – Valparaiso vs. Louisville
Louisville leads the all-time series 2-0, winning last year's tilt 86-59 on the road.
The Cardinals scored 48 first-half points and finished the game with a 48-30 advantage on the glass. Myisha Hines-Allen had a game-high 21 points for Louisville, which forced 22 turnovers. The Cardinals converted their 21 offensive rebounds into 23 second-chance points, and had 54 points in the paint.
GAME FACTS – Valparaiso at Louisville
Date: Saturday, Dec. 5
Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
Site: KFC Yum! Center/Crum Court (22,000), Louisville, Ky.
Video: The game will be broadcast on CardsTV (GoCards.com).
Radio: WKRD 790 AM will broadcast the game, with Matt Andrews (play-by-play) and Adrienne Johnson (analyst) calling the action.
Series History: Louisville leads the all-time series 2-0 (1-0 in Louisville, 1-0 in Valparaiso). Louisville defeated Valparaiso 86-59 on Nov. 30, 2014, in Valparaiso, Ind.
Next UofL Game: Thursday, Dec. 10 at Kentucky, Rupp Arena, Lexington, Ky., 7 p.m. ET (SEC Network)
