They say that basketball is a game of runs and in this game Louisville made all the right runs at all the right times. After a hot start they held Clemson scoreless for a long stretch in the first half. The Cards went from being down 10-11 with about 3 minutes to go in the first quarter to being up 26-11 before Clemson scored again 4 minutes into the second quarter. Clemson fought back to cut the lead to 5 but they could never close the gap.
Imari Berry came off the bench to score all 9 of her points
in the third quarter at a time when Clemson was making a serious challenge and the Cards needed offense. Reyna Scott had some gut-check points finishing with 10 points and 5 rebounds. Laura Ziegler had 17 points and 10 rebounds and went 7-8 from the free throw line. Free throws were the difference in the game. Louisville went 14-15 from the charity stripe whereas Clemson only made 4 of 14.
Coach Walz was pleased with his team’s faster start today. “It was encouraging. We actually guarded. We defended which is better than we’ve done all year especially in that first half. We did a great job defending the 3-point line which is something they’ve really been very successful with so far this season.”
He was also happy with how his team handled the last quarter. “I thought we did a really nice job when they made a little bit of a run there keeping our composure. We executed and scored some big baskets. Clemson’s a very good basketball team, well-coached, and I was really, really proud of the performance that we had today.”
Associate Coach Pineda talked about the team’s leadership in the final moments, “Laura Ziegler and Taj [Roberts] as well were in those huddles saying ‘guys we’ve got just one possession take your time don’t rush it. They gonna go on their run, and we’re gonna go on our run too.‘ So that’s what they talked about in the huddle and I’m proud of all them. I think Laura did a good job of showing her leadership.”
Coach Walz said that both coaches agreed to find an alternate date for this game since the way it was originally scheduled it would’ve meant the players would’ve had to return to campus on Christmas Day. So the Cards are 1-0 in conference play but go back to playing out of conference teams until December 14th. Next up they take on Morehead State in the Yum Center this Wednesday the 19th at 8PM. The game can be seen on the ACC Network.
