(Photo Credit: Pat McDonogh/The Courier-Journal)
Despite a late rally from Boston College, the Cardinals grabbed a double-digit win in Chestnut Hill. Once again, the Cardinals were led by sophomore Myisha Hines-Allen who grabbed 18 points for Louisville.
Chestnut Hill, Mass. — The No. 11 Louisville Cardinals held off a talented Boston College team, winning the contest 55-45.
Boston College won the tip, but a quick turnover led to a Mariya Moore three. The Cardinals took an early 5-0 lead over the Eagles as Myisha Hines-Allen grabbed her first points of the game. Mariella Fasoula put the Eagles on the board as Alexa Coulombe dished out an assist for Fasoula to lay the ball in. A Boston College steal led to another Fasoula lay-up, bringing the Eagles within a point of the Cardinals.
Cortnee Walton put the Cardinals up by three as she connected on a jumper. However, the lead was quickly diminished as Kelly Hughes fired off a three pointer.
The Eagles went cold as the Cardinals went on a 10-0 run. Asia Durr sparked the run for Louisville connecting on a jump shot. Durr grabbed six points in five minutes while the Eagles remained scoreless. Kelly Hughes connected on a shot beyond the arc to end the Eagles’ drought with 36 seconds remaining in the first period. The Cardinals sailed past Boston College 18-10 at the end of the first.
The three by Hughes shifted the momentum in Boston College’s favor. The Eagles went on an 8-0 run to open the second period, while holding Louisville scoreless for nearly three minutes. Hughes hit back to back threes to tie the Cardinals at 18.
Louisville’s scoring drought was ended by Walton as she connected on a jump shot. A lay-up by Katie Quandt tied the game at 20 as a media timeout was called.
Out of the timeout, the Cardinals turned up the defensive heat forcing six Boston College turnovers while going on a 9-0 run to close out the first half.
The Cardinals shot 39.3% in the first half, hitting 11-of-28 from the field and 2-of-8 from beyond the arc. Louisville struggled with holding on to the ball, committing 10 turnovers. However, the Cardinals dominated the glass out rebounding the Eagles, 22-10.
Boston College shot 40% from the three-point line as Hughes fired off four from beyond the arc.
Hughes scored first out of the half driving to the bucket for two. But Hines-Allen countered hitting a jump shot and back to back layups to put the Cardinals up by 13 and forcing a Boston College timeout.
Ella Awobajo was able to cut into Louisville’s lead hitting two jumpers in less than a minute. Fasolua added two jumpers of her own, but her shots were countered by jumpers from Hines-Allen and Walton on the other end of the court. The Cardinals led 39-30 with 3:20 remaining in the third period.
Louisville closed out the period ahead of Boston College, 43-32, as Moore connected on a last second jump shot.
Boston College entered the final period with urgency, out scoring the Cardinals 6-4 heading into the final media timeout.
The Eagles controlled the fourth period, posting 13 points to Louisville’s 12. However, the late offensive effort was not enough to offset Louisville’s dominance in the first period.
Louisville emerged victorious defeating Boston College, 55-45.
The key for the Cardinals’ success was dominating the glass and forcing turnovers. Louisville outrebounded Boston College, 35-27. The Cardinals were able to pull down 23 defensive rebounds. Louisville converted 21 Boston College turnovers into 16 points.
The Cardinals finished the contest connecting on 43.6% from the field, while holding the Eagles to 35.3% shooting.
Louisville had four players post double-figures, three of which shot over 50% from the field: Myisha Hines-Allen paced the Cardinals racking up 18 points on 53% shooting from the field, while pulling down seven boards. Asia Durr tallied 14 points as she connected on 7-of-12 from the field. Cortnee Walton finished just shy of a double-double adding 12 points (6-of-9 shooting) and grabbing a team-high nine rebounds. Mariya Moore rounds out the top scorers for the Cardinals chipping in 10 points and dishing out three assists.
For the Eagles, Kelly Hughes connected on four three-point shots and added a lay-up to finish the evening with a team-best 14 points. Mariella Fasoula was close behind Hughes adding 12 points while pulling down a team-high six rebounds.
Louisville improves to 22-6 on the season, 13-1 in the ACC.
Next up, the Cardinals continue their two game road stint as they fly south to Coral Gables, Florida and face the No. 18 Miami Hurricanes on Thursday.
