Louisville Downs Southern Miss, 83-52
3/1/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Files associated with this release:
Louisville Downs Southern Miss, 83-52
"This sport is very humbling and I?m humbled right now,? Head Coach Rick Reeves said. ?We have to give Louisville credit. They played very well today. We didn?t change our game plan from when we played them in Hattiesburg, but we didn?t execute it today.?
Krystal Reeves led Southern Miss nine points, followed by Victoria Mason and Dana Jones with eight points each. Kessans led the Cardinal scoring contingent, scoring a game-high 17 points followed by Nord with 16 and Amanda Wolke added 13 points.
From the opening tip-off, Louisville took the lead and remained in control for both stanzas. Shooting a blazing 54.5 percent from the field (18-of-33) in the first half, the Cardinals went on an opening 12-2 run and held the Golden Eagles 36.0 percent shooting (9-of-25) and 21 first half points.
The Cardinals opened the second half with a 16-2 run to increase its lead to 35, 58-23. Southern Miss was unable to cut into Louisville?s lead, as turnovers began to mount. Louisville scored 15 points off 13 Lady Eagle miscues. The Cardinals continued to shoot well from the field, connecting on 58.6 percent in the second half, but finished the game shooting 56.5 percent. Louisville also won the battle of the boards, outrebounding Southern Miss 37-29.
"Their defense did a good job,? Reeves said. ?We didn?t reverse the ball and we telegraphed passes. If they (Louisville) play like this the rest of the way, they have a chance to make a run in this tournament.?
Southern Miss concluded its season at 11-17, however, the Golden Eagles return nine of the 11 players for next season.