University of Louisville
Middle Tennessee
Women’s Basketball Travels South, Faces Middle Tennessee on Wednesday
November 15, 2016 | Women's Basketball
The Cardinals boast a 4-1 series lead over the Blue Raiders.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The fifth-ranked Louisville women's basketball team plays its third game in seven days when it takes the court on Wednesday at Middle Tennessee in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
The Cardinals, who have won their first two contests of the year, face the Blue Raiders at the Charles M. Murphy Center at 7:30 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on WKRD 790 AM, with Nick Curran (play-by-play) and Adrienne Johnson (analyst) on the call.
Asia Durr followed her remarkable season-opening performance with 18 points in Louisville's 73-50 victory over Belmont on Sunday. The sophomore is averaging 21.0 points through the first two contests, while hitting 11 of 21 3-point attempts in that span.
Ciera Johnson matched the game-high 18 points in 19 minutes. Durr described the freshman's performance as "dominating," with Johnson connecting on 6-of-7 attempts to go with two blocked shots.
The Cardinals are shooting 51.9 percent from the floor and also have exceled on the defensive end. The Cardinals boast a plus-15.5 turnover margin, with a 1.8 turnover/assist ratio of their own.
Middle Tennessee (0-1) is coming off of a 63-51 loss to Virginia. The Blue Raiders were outscored 22-7 in the second quarter and were held to 34.5 percent from the field for the game, including connecting on only 4-of-22 3-point attempts. Defensively, the Raiders forced Virginia into 23 turnovers and held the Cavaliers to 36.2 percent shooting.
Sophomore Alex Johnson, named to the preseason all-Conference USA team, led the Blue Raiders in scoring in their season opener. She racked up 13 points, totaling five rebounds, one assist, one block, and one steal. Her senior preseason all-C-USA team counterpart Ty Petty played all 40 minutes and scored 11 points.
Middle Tennessee returns four starters from its C-USA Championship run a year ago, finishing 24-6, with a 15-3 mark in conference play to tie for second in the regular-season standings.
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 – Middle Tennessee vs. Louisville
The last time the Cardinals – currently boast a 4-1 series advantage – met the Blue Raiders was in the opening round of the 2013 NCAA Tournament on March 24 in the KFC Yum! Center. Louisville ousted Middle Tennessee 74-49. Louisville forced 24 turnovers and limited the Blue Raiders to only 34.6 percent shooting.
Shoni Schimmel lead Louisville with a 20-point outing, collecting three steals and four rebounds. Monique Reid added 15 points off the bench, and Jude Schimmel contributed 11 points and five steals.
GAME FACTS – Louisville at Middle Tennessee
Date: Wednesday, Nov. 16
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Site: Charles M. Murphy Center (11,520), Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Video: Conference USA's online digital network (online, subscription required) will carry the game.
Radio: WKRD 790 AM will broadcast the game, with Nick Curran (play-by-play) and Adrienne Johnson (analyst) calling the action.
Series History: Louisville leads the all-time series 4-1 (2-1 in Louisville, 2-0 in Murfreesboro). Louisville defeated Middle Tennessee 74-49 on March 24, 2013, in the KFC Yum! Center.
Next UofL Game: Saturday, Nov. 19 vs. Bowling Green (Basketball Hall of Fame Challenge), KFC Yum! Center, Louisville, Ky., 4:30 p.m. ET (ACC Network Extra)
