Louisville Reaches Semifinals at 2021 Red Bull USA Basketball 3x3 Nationals
June 13, 2021 | Women's Basketball
The Cardinals finished with a 3-2 overall record and reached the semifinals.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - University of Louisville women's basketball's team of Elizabeth Dixon, Mykasa Robinson, Kianna Smith and Payton Verhulst finished the 2021 Red Bull USA Basketball 3x3 Nationals with a 3-2 overall record and reached the semifinals.Â
On Saturday, Louisville went 2-1 to advance to the knockout round as Pool B's top seed. They opened with a 16-10 win over Force 10 before falling 15-12 in overtime to Oregon. The Cardinals wrapped up pool play with an impressive 20-18 victory over Maryland.
They advanced to the semifinals with a 19-12 win over Midwest Money Makers on Sunday morning. In the win over Midwest Money Makers, Louisville jumped out to a 10-4 lead following a block and 3-pointer by Verhulst.
Smith then hit back-to-back buckets to put the Cardinals up 15-10. Smith later made a nice cross over move to the basket to put Louisville up 18-10 as they cruised to the 19-12 win.
All four Cardinals got into the scoring column in the win.
Louisville then fell 17-13 against Force 10 in the semifinals. The Cardinals trailed 2-0 early, but took a 3-2 lead on a nice back door layup by Verhulst. Force 10 then went on a 6-0 run and Louisville went into a timeout trailing 8-3.
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The Cardinals pulled within 10-7 with five minutes remaining on a layup by Dixon, but Force 10 then extended the lead to 14-7 with three minutes to go. Dixon cut the lead to 16-12 with an and-one with 48 seconds remaining, but Louisville ultimately fell 17-13.
Smith led the way with six points, while Dixon finished with five.
Held annually every year since 2012, with the exception of 2020 when the event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 marks the ninth edition of the 3x3 national championships, the second edition of Red Bull USA Basketball 3X Nationals and the second time the event has been held outside of Colorado Springs, Colorado.
About USA Basketball
Based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and chaired by retired Gen. Martin Dempsey, USA Basketball is a nonprofit organization and the national governing body for basketball in the United States. As the recognized governing body for basketball in the U.S. by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), USA Basketball is responsible for the selection, training and fielding of USA national teams that compete in FIBA-sponsored five-on-five, 3x3 and esports international competitions, as well as for some national competitions and for the development of youth basketball. USA Basketball currently ranks No. 1 in all five of FIBA's world-ranking categories, including combined, men's, women's, boys and girls.
Connect with USA Basketball at USAB.com and on Facebook (USABasketball and USABYouth), Twitter (@usabasketball, @USABYouth, @USAB3x3, @usabgaming), Instagram (@USABasketball, @USAB3x3, @USABYouth, @USABgaming) and YouTube (usabasketball). Â
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About The Hall
Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, preserving and celebrating the game of basketball at every level. The Hall of Fame has more than 400 inductees and 40,000 sq. ft. of basketball history. Nearly 200,000 people visit the Hall of Fame museum each year to learn about the game, experience the interactive exhibits and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo "Court of Dreams." Best known for its annual marquee Enshrinement Ceremony honoring the game's elite, the Hall of Fame also operates over 70 high school and collegiate competitions annually throughout the country and abroad. For more information on the Basketball Hall of Fame organization, its museum and events, visit www.hoophall.com, follow @hoophall or call 1-877-4HOOPLA.
For the latest on Louisville women's basketball, visit GoCards.com, or follow the team's Twitter account at @UofLWBB or on Facebook at facebook.com/UofLWBB.Â
On Saturday, Louisville went 2-1 to advance to the knockout round as Pool B's top seed. They opened with a 16-10 win over Force 10 before falling 15-12 in overtime to Oregon. The Cardinals wrapped up pool play with an impressive 20-18 victory over Maryland.
They advanced to the semifinals with a 19-12 win over Midwest Money Makers on Sunday morning. In the win over Midwest Money Makers, Louisville jumped out to a 10-4 lead following a block and 3-pointer by Verhulst.
That's just unfair @payton_verhulst! ????
— USA Basketball 3x3 (@usab3x3) June 13, 2021
And good timing, @VChang21 ?? pic.twitter.com/qb72opOAEn
Smith then hit back-to-back buckets to put the Cardinals up 15-10. Smith later made a nice cross over move to the basket to put Louisville up 18-10 as they cruised to the 19-12 win.
The cross filthy @_naannna ??@UofLWBB rolls into the 1 PM ET semifinal. pic.twitter.com/MUDSXwrS34
— USA Basketball 3x3 (@usab3x3) June 13, 2021
All four Cardinals got into the scoring column in the win.
Louisville then fell 17-13 against Force 10 in the semifinals. The Cardinals trailed 2-0 early, but took a 3-2 lead on a nice back door layup by Verhulst. Force 10 then went on a 6-0 run and Louisville went into a timeout trailing 8-3.
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The Cardinals pulled within 10-7 with five minutes remaining on a layup by Dixon, but Force 10 then extended the lead to 14-7 with three minutes to go. Dixon cut the lead to 16-12 with an and-one with 48 seconds remaining, but Louisville ultimately fell 17-13.
Smith led the way with six points, while Dixon finished with five.
Held annually every year since 2012, with the exception of 2020 when the event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 marks the ninth edition of the 3x3 national championships, the second edition of Red Bull USA Basketball 3X Nationals and the second time the event has been held outside of Colorado Springs, Colorado.
About USA Basketball
Based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and chaired by retired Gen. Martin Dempsey, USA Basketball is a nonprofit organization and the national governing body for basketball in the United States. As the recognized governing body for basketball in the U.S. by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), USA Basketball is responsible for the selection, training and fielding of USA national teams that compete in FIBA-sponsored five-on-five, 3x3 and esports international competitions, as well as for some national competitions and for the development of youth basketball. USA Basketball currently ranks No. 1 in all five of FIBA's world-ranking categories, including combined, men's, women's, boys and girls.
Connect with USA Basketball at USAB.com and on Facebook (USABasketball and USABYouth), Twitter (@usabasketball, @USABYouth, @USAB3x3, @usabgaming), Instagram (@USABasketball, @USAB3x3, @USABYouth, @USABgaming) and YouTube (usabasketball). Â
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About The Hall
Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, preserving and celebrating the game of basketball at every level. The Hall of Fame has more than 400 inductees and 40,000 sq. ft. of basketball history. Nearly 200,000 people visit the Hall of Fame museum each year to learn about the game, experience the interactive exhibits and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo "Court of Dreams." Best known for its annual marquee Enshrinement Ceremony honoring the game's elite, the Hall of Fame also operates over 70 high school and collegiate competitions annually throughout the country and abroad. For more information on the Basketball Hall of Fame organization, its museum and events, visit www.hoophall.com, follow @hoophall or call 1-877-4HOOPLA.
For the latest on Louisville women's basketball, visit GoCards.com, or follow the team's Twitter account at @UofLWBB or on Facebook at facebook.com/UofLWBB.Â
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