Louisville Handles EKU 101-58

Today the Cards saw a familiar face on the sideline when former Louisville assistant Samantha Williams brought her young Eastern Kentucky team into the Yum. As one would expect her team played hard to the end, but as she is still building her program they don’t have nearly the same depth as the Cards. After a sloppy first quarter Louisville settled down and ran away with it.

Hailey Van Lith recorded her first collegiate double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Dana Evans also had 20 points, 7 assists, and 2 steals. Elizabeth Balogun added 12 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocked shots.

After the game Coach Walz spoke with Nick Curran and said, “I thought Dana shot the ball well. She really shot the ball well in the second half. Which I was excited for her... she did not turn the ball over at all which is really impressive. Hailey getting 11 boards... we’re going to need our guards to rebound and she has bought into that. She handles the physicality extremely well.”

On Olivia Cochran he said, “It’s a real asset when you’ve got a post player who can step up to the free throw line and make free throws. She is going to get fouled. She goes to the line 6 times she’s 5 of 6. The first game she’s 9 for 10. So we’re going to continue to need that from her.”

He praised Coach Williams, “I told Sam that they definitely have a plan. You can see what they’re trying to do. They lost one of their post kids to a sprained ankle so once they get her back it will be a big help for them. But I think Sam’s done a really nice job and they’re going to do well in their league. Our athleticism definitely caused them some problems but I can see the growth in her team and she’s got some really good young players.”

Officially the next game is next Sunday at 2PM against UT-Martin. However, Coach Walz said, “Hopefully we’re going to get a ball game worked out either Wednesday or Tuesday with Cincinnati. Then we’re hoping tomorrow to be able to announce who our competition will be up at the Mohegan Sun on Friday night. That’s been worked out and it will be a top 20 team.” Stay tuned.