ACC conference play has commenced! Last year, Louisville barreled through Georgia Tech and won by a 40-point margin. This year’s Cardinal-Yellow Jacket contest hugely contrasted the blowout of the past year, but a huge player performance must be noted.
.@Mooks_22's bucket in the final seconds claimed the Cards' first ACC win of the season!
— Louisville Women’s Basketball (@LouisvilleWBB) December 29, 2017
Catch the highlights here ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/MgcnND7o3M
Louisville junior guard Asia Durr carried the Cardinals on her back in her homecoming game against Georgia Tech. Durr, the Douglasville, Georgia native, contributed 38 points in the thrilling 74-71 victory against the Yellow Jackets.
After a slow first quarter for Louisville, resulting in a seven point deficit at the conclusion of the first ten minutes, Durr scored an alarming 20 points in the second quarter alone. Durr swung the game at 5:49 in the second quarter by drawing a foul from Georgia Tech’s Imani Tilford at the top of the key. She completed the four-point play, making the lead 28-25, and the rest of the quarter belonged to the Cards.
Durr finished the first half with 27 points (10-13 from the field), leading all scorers; the rest of her team totaled 19 points (8-16), allowing them to go into halftime with a 46-34 lead.
The Louisville offense slowed down in the second half. Offensive struggles paired with turnovers allowed Georgia Tech to creep up, evening out the game in the last minute of play at 71-71.
Myisha Hines-Allen drove to the basket and scored in the last five seconds, which ultimately led to edging out Georgia Tech and a final score of 74-71-Durr’s 38 points a huge factor in the victory.
Louisville is now 15-0 and the only team in the ACC to remain undefeated. With the Thursday night win, they have tied their best start in program history. They have a chance to break the record on Dec. 31 against North Carolina State. In addition to the best start in history, the Cards have the chance to tie the longest overall win streak in program history at 16.
On opening night of conference play, Louisville, Notre Dame, North Carolina State, and Virginia all secured wins. Game play resumes tonight with a final non-conference game for the Duke Blue Devils. If Duke can beat Liberty University, Coach Joanne P. McCallie will reach 600 wins in her 26-year tenure.
Big winners in yesterday's #ACCWBB openers: @PackWomensBball
— ACC Women's Basketball (@accwbb) December 29, 2017
@UofLWBB @ndwbb
@UVaWBBHoops
Conference play continues on Sunday, Dec. 31!
Conference play will resume Sunday, Dec. 31.