University of Louisville
CENTRAL ARKANSAS
No. 8 Women’s Basketball Opens NCAA Tournament Against Central Arkansas
March 17, 2016 | Women's Basketball
The Cardinals and Sugar Bears are meeting for the first time in series history.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The No. 8-ranked and No. 3-seed University of Louisville women's basketball team is playing host to 14-seed Central Arkansas in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday in the KFC Yum! Center.
The contest will tip at 2:30 p.m. ET and air on ESPN2, with Marc Kestecher (play-by-play) and Andy Landers (analyst) on the call. 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.
Louisville (25-7, 15-1 ACC) is making its 19th appearance in the NCAA Tournament and sixth consecutive under head coach Jeff Walz, who has led the Cardinals to eight overall in his reign at Louisville. As a No. 3 seed, the Cardinals have achieved a 10-3 record, advancing to the Final Four (2009), Elite Eight (2014), and Sweet 16 (2015).
Last time out, Louisville lost 80-75 to Syracuse in the semifinals on March 5 of the ACC Tournament in Greensboro, N.C. The Orange compiled 21 points off 16 Louisville turnovers and received 32 from their reserves.
Myisha Hines-Allen registered a double-double of 27 points and 12 rebounds, Asia Durr scored a season-best 23 points, and Briahanna Jackson had a solid performance with 18 points and nine rebounds.
On the season, Hines-Allen is leading the Cardinals in scoring (17.5), rebounding (8.4), field goal percentage (.540) and also was crowned the Blue Ribbon Panel's ACC Player of the Year. Moore is second in scoring (14.0), with a team-leading 142 assists, and was selected to the Blue Ribbon Panel's and coaches' all-ACC first team. Durr is shooting a team-best 35.7 percent from behind the 3-point line and was named to the coaches' and Blue Ribbon Panel's all-freshman team. Cortnee Walton finished first in the ACC with 4.3 offensive rebounds per game.
Nationally, Louisville ranks in the top 30 in several categories: offensive rebounds per game (21st, 16), assists (24th, 512), steals (26th, 311), and assists per game (29th, 16.0)
Central Arkansas (28-3, 16-2 Southland) enters the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history as a Division I team, winning its last nine games that included defeating Sam Houston State 69-62 to capture the Southland Conference Tournament title.
The Sugar Bears went on a 9-3 run late in the fourth quarter to pull away from Bearkats. Central Arkansas outrebounded Sam Houston State 46-27, scoring 13 second-chance points from 19 offensive rebounds.
Brianna Mullins scored a team-high 17 points, shooting 6-of-11 from the field, and connecting on all three of her 3-point attempts. Maggie Proffitt scored 11 and grabbed seven rebounds.
On the season, Proffitt is the Sugar Bears' leading scorer (14.3) and best free throw shooter (.904). She also has a team-high 66 triples. Mullins is second on the team in scoring (10.5) and first in steals (41). Raquel Logan is Central Arkansas' top rebounder (6.3) and has a team-leading 35 blocks on the season.
Nationally, Central Arkansas ranks in the top 40 in several categories: scoring defense (9th, 51.8 ppg.), rebound margin (26th, +7.6), field goal percentage defense (35th, .363), and three-point field goal percentage (37th, .349).
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 - Central Arkansas vs. Louisville
Friday will be the first meeting between Louisville and Central Arkansas, however, the Cardinals are 5-1 all-time against teams from the Southland Conference. Louisville has defeated Houston Baptist (1-0), Sam Houston State (1-0) and New Orleans (3-0).
Louisville last played a Southland Conference member on Nov. 17, 2010, when it defeated Houston Baptist 100-34 in the second home game played in the KFC Yum! Center.
GAME FACTS – Central Arkansas at Louisville
Date: Friday, March 18
Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
Site: KFC Yum! Center (22,000), Louisville, Ky.
Television: The game will be broadcast on ESPN2, with Marc Kestecher (play-by-play) and Andy Landers (analyst) on the call.
Radio: WKRD 790 AM will broadcast the game, with Matt Andrews (play-by-play) and Adrienne Johnson (analyst) calling the action.
Series History: This will be the first meeting between Louisville and Central Arkansas.
Next UofL Game: Louisville vs. James Madison/DePaul winner, Sunday, March 20, KFC Yum! Center, Louisville, Ky.
