Cardinals Come from Behind to Defeat Virginia, 63-53

Thursday, February 9

Charlottesville, VA

7 PM

University of Louisville

18-8,9-4ACC

Virginia

14-11,3-11ACC

Louisville

Virginia

February 09, 2023 | Women's Basketball

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Louisville outscored Virginia 37-19 in the second half

By: Matt Paras

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — In its first trip to Charlottesville in almost four years, the University of Louisville women's basketball team used a big second half to defeat Virginia 63-53 Thursday night at John Paul Jones Arena. The Cardinals (18-8, 9-4) trailed at the half for the third-straight game but had another second half comeback for their third-straight win. The Cardinals outscored the Cavaliers (14-11, 3-11) 37-19 in the second half to secure the win.

Hailey Van Lith led all scorers with 17 points on the night, her second-straight game with 17 points. Van Lith added five assists, four rebounds and two steals in the win. Chrislyn Carr was held to two points over the first three quarters but scored 12 in the fourth to finish with 14 points. Merissah Russell was clutch off the bench for the Cardinals with nine points and a career-high rebounds to lead the Cardinals on the night. Mykasa Robinson led the team with six assists to go with six points, six rebounds, two steals and two blocks.

Virginia opened the game up on a 7-0 run that was ended by an 18-foot jumper from Robinson at the top of the key. The Cardinals settled into the game and responded with a 9-0 run to take their first lead of the night. Van Lith hit Dixon for a lay-up and the Cavaliers called timeout with 1:54 left in the first and the Cards up 13-12. The Cardinals held the Cavaliers scoreless for over five minutes in the quarter but Virginia held a slim 16-15 lead after one.

Virginia led for the entire second quarter as the Cardinals hit a few dry spells from the floor. Louisville cut the Virginia lead down to one after a Russell three with 3:53 left in the quarter. The Cavaliers responded by finishing the quarter on a 9-2 run and Virginia held a 34-26 lead at the half.

The Cavaliers extended the lead to 10 in the third quarter before Louisville answered with a 10-0 to tie the game at 38-38 with 2:14 left in the frame. The Cardinals got another stop and Russell was fouled on the rebound. She hit both free throws and gave the Cards their first lead of the quarter at 40-38. Louisville held Virginia to just nine points in the third but the Cavaliers held a 43-41 lead at the end of the quarter.

Louisville opened the fourth quarter on a 9-2 run and grew the lead to its largest of the game at five points. The lead was just two at the media timeout as the Cardinals were up 50-48 with 4:24 left to play in regulation. After the Cavaliers tied the game with 4:12 left, Louisville went on its biggest run of the game. Louisville went on a 13-5 run to close out the game and secure its eighth road win of the season. Carr did not hit a shot from the floor until the fourth and was 3-for-4 from the floor, 2-for-2 from three and 4-for-4 from the line in the final quarter.

The Cardinals return to campus to get ready for a weekend home matchup against Clemson. The Tigers and Cardinals will square off on Sunday, February 12 at 2 p.m. ET from the KFC Yum! Center. The game will be streamed on the ACC Network Extra.