by LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The University of Louisville women’s basketball team plays No. 17 North Carolina in a nationally televised game on Sunday in the KFC Yum! Center in a Play4Kay Game.
The Feb. 15 contest, the Cardinals’ seventh game against a ranked opponent this year, will air on ESPN2, with Pam Ward (play-by-play) and LaChina Robinson (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.
Fans are encouraged to join Louisville and wear pink to show support in the fight against women’s cancers. The Play4Kay Game serves as a tribute to the late Kay Yow, a highly decorated women’s basketball coach and founding member of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association.
No. 9 Louisville (21-3, 9-2 ACC) has won four of its last five games, including the last two straight, beating Clemson 81-49 on Thursday. Louisville shot 50.0 percent from the field and went 22 of 30 from the free throw line. The Cardinals held a sizeable advantage on the boards, outrebounding the Tigers 47-19.
Shawnta’ Dyer came off the bench and, in 17 minutes, had a season-high 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting and eight rebounds. Starters Mariya Moore (15), Sara Hammond (12), and Myisha Hines-Allen (10) each scored in double figures, andJude Schimmel added seven points and seven assists without a turnover.
A freshman, Moore is pacing the Cardinals in scoring (13.5) and assists (94), while classmate Hines-Allen is second in scoring with 12.3 points per game. Hammond is contributing 11.3 points and 6.8 boards, ranking 14th in the ACC in rebounding. Schimmel ranks first on the team with 51 steals.
The Tar Heels (20-5, 7-4) have won five of their last seven games, most recently beating No. 7 Florida State 71-63 at home on Thursday. North Carolina held FSU to just 32.9 percent shooting for the game, including a 28.1 percent stint in the second half. The Tar Heels scored 20 points off the Seminoles’ 23 turnovers.
Three of the Tar Heels’ starters reached double figures in points, paced by Allisha Gray’s 22 points and 14 rebounds. Stephanie Mavunga had 11 points, and Brittany Rountree added 10 points, seven rebounds, and four steals.
On the year, Gray is pacing UNC with 16.3 points. Mavunga is averaging 14.0 points and 8.9 boards, and Latifah Coleman has team highs in assists (81) and steals (37).
The Tar Heels are under the direction of 29th-year coach Sylvia Hatchell, who has a 683-256 record at the helm of the program. North Carolina was picked to finish fourth in the ACC Preseason Media Poll after going 27-10 last year and reaching the Elite Eight.
GAME FACTS – North Carolina at Louisville
Date: Sunday, Feb. 15
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Site: KFC Yum! Center/Crum Court, Louisville, Ky. (22,000)
TV: ESPN2 will broadcast the game, with Pam Ward (play-by-play) and LaChina Robinson (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: North Carolina leads 3-0 (3-0 neutral).
Last Meeting: North Carolina defeated Louisville 78-74 on March 29, 2008, in New Orleans, La.
Next UofL Game: Thursday, Feb. 19 at Virginia Tech, Cassell Coliseum, Blacksburg, Va., 7 p.m. ET
Proud of all our Native American athletes!! Keep playing smart you all!