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Van Lith gets 21, Louisville in Sweet 16 after beating Zags

Posted March 20, 2022 7:00 am

By STEVE BITTENBENDER

Louisville guard Kianna Smith (14) looks for help from pressure by Gonzaga guard Kaylynne Truong (14) and forward Yvonne Ejim (15) during the first half of a women's NCAA tournament college basketball second-round game in Louisville, Ky., Sunday, March 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley) The Associated Press

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Hailey Van Lith scored 21 points and Louisville advanced to the Sweet 16 after a 68-59 win over Gonzaga on Sunday night in the second round of the women's NCAA Tournament.

Playing in front of a loud home crowd for the last time this season, the top-seeded Cardinals (27-4) jumped out to a 14-0 lead less than 4:30 into the game, thanks to a pressure defense that sped up the Bulldogs. The Zags (27-7) not only weathered the storm but also answered with a 12-0 run of their own.

Van Lith, a Washington state native, would not be denied. The sophomore guard scored eight straight points in 1:45 stretch of the third quarter that started a 15-3 run. She would cap that spurt with two more free throws to make it 51-33 with 3:00 left in the period.

Gonzaga (27-7) never got back within eight points the rest of the way.

Van Lith, who made 8 of 17 shots, was one of four Louisville players in double figures. Emily Engstler overcame a 3-for-13 shooting performance to post 12 points, 11 rebounds and five steals. Kianna Smith scored 10 of her 12 points in the first half, and Olivia Cochran added 11 on 5-of-8 shooting.

Kayleigh Truong led Gonzaga with 14 points, but the junior was just 1 of 5 in the second half. Melody Kempton added 13.

With the win, Louisville finished the season with a 16-0 record at the Yum Center. Dating back to last season, the Cardinals have won a record 18 straight.

But the road to what would the program's first national title will go through Wichita, Kansas, where Louisville will play the winner of Monday night's second-round game of Belmont at Tennessee.

BIG PICTURE

Gonzaga: The Zags survived the early barrage, but ultimately struggled to break the Cardinals' defense on a consistent basis. Louisville held Gonzaga to 38% shooting, including 4 of 20 on 3-pointers, and forced them into 18 turnovers.

Louisville: Coach Jeff Walz said repeatedly through the season that this Cardinals team could make the Final Four or lose in the second round. Gonzaga gave Louisville a scare, but now it's back to the Sweet 16 for the eighth time since 2013.

Gonzaga guard Abby O'Connor (4) tries to get around Louisville guard Mykasa Robinson (5) during the first half of a women's NCAA tournament college basketball second-ound game in Louisville, Ky., Sunday, March 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley) The Associated Press

Gonzaga guard Mckayla Wiliams (24) shoots over Louisville forward Liz Dixon (22) during the first half of a women's NCAA tournament college basketball second-round game in Louisville, Ky., Sunday, March 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley) The Associated Press

Louisville guard Kianna Smith (14) cheers after making a 3-point basket during the first half of a women's NCAA tournament college basketball second-round game against Gonzaga in Louisville, Ky., Sunday, March 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley) The Associated Press

Gonzaga forward Yvonne Ejim (15) drives in for a layup during the first half of a women's NCAA tournament college basketball second-round game against Louisville in Louisville, Ky., Sunday, March 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley) The Associated Press

Gonzaga forward Anamaria Virjoghe (1) shoots over Louisville forward Olivia Cochran (44) during the first half of a women's NCAA tournament college basketball second-round game in Louisville, Ky., Sunday, March 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley) The Associated Press

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