by TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The University of Louisville women’s basketball team takes on its fourth ranked opponent of the year, when it travels to No. 17 Florida State for a Thursday night contest in the Tucker Center at 7 p.m.
The contest will air on ESPN3, with Tom Block (play-by-play) and Melissa Bruner (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.
The teams have nearly identical statistics at the midway point in the year. Louisville is averaging just 2.2 points more per game, while Florida State is holding opponents to 0.5 points less each time out. Both are shooting better than 45 percent from the field.
Louisville has won the last two meetings with the Seminoles in a series that is tied at 12 games apiece. Last time the teams squared off, Louisville recorded a 69-59 overtime victory in the KFC Yum! Center. Jude Schimmel forced the extra session following a steal and uncontested layup with less than 30 seconds in regulation. Her sister Shoni had a game-high 21 points, and the Cardinals scored 29 points off of Florida State’s 26 turnovers.
No. 4 Louisville (17-1, 5-0) heads into Thursday’s game on a nine-game winning streak and sole possession of first place in its inaugural year in the ACC. The Cardinals recorded a 67-55 victory over Virginia on Sunday, tying a school record in the game with just five turnovers.
Sara Hammond paced the Cardinals with 20 points and nine rebounds, the 61st time in her career she has reached double figures in points. Myisha Hines-Allen added 15 of her 17 points in the second half, and Mariya Moore scored 10 points and dished out five assists.
A freshman, Moore continues to lead Louisville in scoring (13.7), while boasting a team-high 67 assists. She ranks 49th nationally in assist-turnover ratio (2.09). Hines-Allen is averaging 12.4 points per game, and Sara Hammond is contributing 11.1 points and 6.4 rebounds, the highest rebounding average on the team.
The No. 17 Seminoles (17-2, 4-1 ACC) have won their last four games, including an upset victory over No. 13 Duke on Jan. 11.
Last time out, Florida State posted a 59-44 victory at Virginia Tech on Sunday. The Seminoles held the Hokies to just 14 first-half points and forced Virginia Tech into 21 turnovers. FSU shot just 39.7 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from the charity stripe.
Shakayla Thomas had a game-tying high 19 points to go with seven rebounds. Maegan Conwright added 12 points behind three 3s.
For the season, Adut Bulgak – who missed the past two games with a concussion – is pacing the team in points (14.0), rebounds (10.3), and blocks (38). Conwright (11.5), newcomer Leticia Romero (11.2), Ivey Slaughter (11.1), and Thomas (10.5) each are averaging double-digit points. Conwright has a team-high 64 assists.
The Seminoles are under the direction of 18th-year coach Sue Semrau, who has a 333-215 record at the helm of the program. Florida State was picked to finish fifth in the ACC Preseason Media Poll after going 21-12 last year.
GAME FACTS – Louisville at Florida State
Date: Thursday, Jan. 22
Time: 7:03 p.m. ET
Site: Donald L. Tucker Center (12,100), Tallahassee, Fla.
TV: ESPN3 will broadcast the game, with Tom Block (play-by-play) and Melissa Bruner (analyst) calling the action.
Radio: WKRD 790 AM will broadcast the game, with Matt Andrews (play-by-play) and Adrienne Johnson (analyst) calling the action.
Series History: Series is tied 12-12 (6-6 in Louisville, 4-5 in Tallahassee, 2-1 neutral).
Last Meeting: Louisville defeated Florida State 69-59 in overtime on Nov. 24, 2013, in Louisville, Ky.
Next UofL Game: Sunday, Jan. 25 vs. Miami (Fla.), KFC Yum! Center, Louisville, Ky., 5 p.m. ET (RSN/FOX)
