by LOUISVILLE, Ky. – For the University of Louisville women’s basketball team, it’s another game that will cause movement atop of the Atlantic Coast Conference standings.
Louisville and Miami (Fla.), which sit in a four-way tie for first in the ACC with Florida State and Notre Dame, face each other on Sunday in the KFC Yum! Center at 5 p.m. The Cardinals, Hurricanes, Seminoles, and Fighting Irish each boast 5-1 records in league play.
The contest will air on the ACC Regional Sports Networks (Fox Sports South in Louisville), with Mike Hogewood (play-by-play) and Debbie Antonelli (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.
No. 4 Louisville (17-2) is coming off a tough 68-63 loss at No. 17 Florida State on Thursday, the Cardinals’ first loss in more than a month. Louisville battled from a 21-1 deficit early in the game to take a six-point lead, 55-49, with nine minutes remaining in the second half. The Seminoles, though, reclaimed the lead for good with a layup at the 33-second mark for a 65-63 edge.
The loss snapped the Cardinals’ nine-game winning streak.
Sara Hammond scored 15 of her game-high 19 points in the second half, and Jude Schimmel added 14 points, eight rebounds, and four assists in the loss. Arica Carter came off the bench and contributed six points and a season-high four steals.
Through 19 games, Mariya Moore is pacing the Cardinals in scoring with a 13.4 average that ranks 20th overall in the ACC. The freshman also has a team-high 71 assists to go along with 30 steals.Myisha Hines-Allen is second in scoring (12.0), and Hammond is adding 11.5 points per game and ranks first with 6.3 rebounds.
Defensively, Jude Schimmel (42) and Bria Smith (40) rank in the top five in the conference in steals.
The Hurricanes (15-4) have won seven of their last eight games, including an upset win at home over then-No. 4 Notre Dame on Jan. 8 and recently a 67-58 victory over Virginia on Jan. 21.
Against the Cavaliers, Miami shot just 39.1 percent from the field but scored 18 second-chance points on 16 offensive rebounds. The Hurricanes hit just 4-of-19 3-pointers. Jessica Thomas had a game-high 18 points to go with four steals, Michelle Woods had 12 points and five assists off the bench, and Suriya McGuire added 11.
The Hurricanes, who went 10-of-21 from 3 in the win over Clemson, have combined to connect on just 12 of their last 56 treys (.214) over the last two games.
For the season, Motley leads the team with 16.5 points per game and is tied with Thomas for first on the squad with 28 steals. Thomas is averaging 9.1 points and has a team-best 44 assists. Jassany Williams is grabbing a team-best 6.7 boards per game.
The Hurricanes are under the direction of 10th-year coach Katie Meier, who has a 178-125 record at the helm of the program. Miami was picked to finish eighth in the ACC Preseason Media Poll after going 16-15 last year.
GAME FACTS – Miami (Fla.) at Louisville
Date: Sunday, Jan. 25
Time: 5:04 p.m. ET
Site: KFC Yum! Center/Crum Court (12,100), Louisville, Ky.
TV: Regional Sports Networks (Fox Sports South in Louisville) will broadcast the game, with Mike Hogewood (play-by-play) and Debbie Antonelli (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: Miami leads 1-0 (1-0 in Louisville).
Last Meeting: Miami defeated Louisville 59-58 on Jan. 11, 1989, in Louisville, Ky.
Next UofL Game: Thursday, Jan. 29 vs. Syracuse, KFC Yum! Center, Louisville, Ky., 7 p.m. ET
Important game for the Lady Cards after a difficult lost. Should be alright tomorrow. GoCards.