No. 8 Louisville women rally past Western Kentucky 68-61
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Good things result from rebounds, and No. 8 Louisville succeeded against Western Kentucky by attacking the boards.
Asia Durr scored 16 points, including two key 3-pointers 80 seconds apart in the fourth quarter, and Louisville outrebounded Western Kentucky 15-5 down the stretch for a 68-61 victory on Sunday.
Louisville (8-2) erased a 38-32 halftime deficit with 10 straight points before Jaycee Coe rallied WKU (5-4) with three consecutive 3s, beginning a back-and-forth stretch that continued into the final quarter. The Cardinals' 14-7 run helped them go ahead for good at 60-59 on Mariya Moore's layup with 4:12 left, and Durr added a 3 with 3:33 to go.
Offensive rebounds set up both baskets and symbolized Louisville's fierce approach that also held WKU to 29 percent shooting in the final quarter.
"We just had to get a stop on defense and that's where it all started," said forward Myisha Hines-Allen, who also had 16 points with 11 rebounds, including an offensive board resulting in Durr's insurance 3.
"When we came out strong in the third quarter and were able to hold them, I don't know how many points we gained. It's just always defense, and then offense."
Cortnee Walton added a layup and Briahanna Jackson and Hines-Allen combined for three free throws in the final minutes to seal the win in the intrastate matchup. Louisville avenged last season's two-point loss in Bowling Green and has won seven of the last nine in the series.
"I was really proud how we started the fourth quarter defensively because we missed the first two shots," coach Jeff Walz said. "But then we had stops too because all of a sudden if it (the deficit) goes from eight to 12, you've got big-time problems. So we actually defended, which was important."
Ivy Brown scored 12 points and Tashia Brown had 11 for the Lady Toppers, who had won two in a row.
THE BIG PICTURE
Western Kentucky: The Lady Toppers went 9 for 22 from 3-point range and led several times, but were dominated 41-25 on the boards and had several scoreless stretches that allowed Louisville to rally. WKU shot 41 percent.
Of her team's long-range shooting, coach Michelle Clark-Heard said, "That is what we do, shoot the 3. When you are an undersized team and they are bigger than us, and most teams will be bigger than us, then it's what we have to do."
Kentucky transfer Kyvin Goodin-Rogers had eight points including two 3s and four rebounds in her WKU debut.
Louisville: Freshman Sydney Zambrotta made 5 of 6 3-point attempts for 15 points while playing a season-high 16 minutes, providing a big boost. The Cardinals shot 46 percent from the field and 59 percent (10 of 17) from long range.
"I knew when I got in the game that I had to step up for my team," Zambrotta said, "and I'm happy we got the win."
Louisville's control inside made the difference late as it outscored WKU 28-18 in the paint.
JUST A SUGGESTION
Louisville's free throw struggles continued as it made just 4 of 9 attempts. Walz noted the Cardinals' 3-point shooting and joked at changing the rule to allow his team to shoot freebies from long range.
"We're going to stand far back and see if the official will allow me to throw it from the bench," he said. "(Just) shoot a 3 in stride because we do it better than we shoot free throws."
POLL IMPLICATIONS
Louisville should remain in the top 10 after beating its second in-state foe in a week. The Cardinals beat No. 15 Kentucky last Sunday.
UP NEXT
Western Kentucky: Begins a five-game homestand on Thursday against Lipscomb.
Louisville: Faces visiting South Dakota State for the first time on Wednesday night. The Jackrabbits return five starters from a 27-7 squad.
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