:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52519051/usa-today-9159674.0.jpeg)
Several members of the WBB team sat a few rows in front of me at the MBB game vs. Virginia on Wednesday night. In the first quarter of their own ACC opener tonight it appeared that they had taken the boy's game as instructional as they came out playing with a similar malaise. They weren't hustling for loose balls and were making passes that sailed passed teammates out of bounds. The Cards shot 22% in the first quarter which they improved to 34% by the end of the half as they cut a 12 point Syracuse lead down to 33-40.
Got my pic taken with @SydneyZambrotta @JayyJones_23 and @SamFuehring. Good luck tomorrow, ladies! pic.twitter.com/DUMn6s8LJn
— Rachel (@snicklefritz35) December 29, 2016
After the game Coach Walz said after the first half he felt like he should give the fans back their money because of the team's lack of effort. He called their energy "embarrassing." He also said that he challenged Asia Durr---that she looked scared and wasn't hunting down shots. Apparently she listened because after scoring just two points off of free throws in the first half she exploded in the second half for 34 points.
Won-Durr-ful 2nd half helps @UofLWBB defeat Syracuse 91-76. #L1C4 pic.twitter.com/N4h4V8krcL
— Scott Utterback (@Utterback13) December 30, 2016
Louisville came into the second half swinging and scored a season-high 36 points in the third quarter. They took their first lead at just under 8 minutes at 41-40. Six minutes later the lead had ballooned to 64-44 on a layup plus one by Sam Fuehring. Coach Walz praised her performance (10 points/2 rebounds) which was integral to the big run in the second half. He said that she'd had two good days of practice which translated to a good game tonight.
Mariya Moore finished the game as just one of 4 players in program history to get a triple-double (it's happened 7 times). She had 11 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. Myisha Hines-Allen also had a solid night with 18 points and 10 rebounds Not playing was freshman Kylee Shook who was on the bench with a boot on her right foot.
Next up is #15 Duke who defeated Kentucky tonight 69-54. The game is in Durham on Monday, January 2, at 7pm. It can be seen on ESPNU.