Louisville Holds Off Georgia Tech for Bounce Back Win
Press Release from the University of Louisville:
LOUISVILLE - Ky. - Hailey Van Lith registered 24 points, four rebounds, and four assists to lead the NR/RV Louisville women's basketball team to a 63-55 victory over Georgia Tech Thursday night at the KFC Yum! Center. The performance marks Van Lith's third straight game with 20 or more points and the 10th time she eclipsed that mark this season. With the win, the Cardinals (12-5, 3-1) are now 10-0 all-time against the Yellow Jackets (9-6, 0-4).
As a team, Louisville shot 45 percent from the field and 80 percent from the free-throw line. The Cards also forced 16 turnovers and score 19 points off of those turnovers.
Olivia Cochran added 10 points, six rebounds, and a steal in the victory for the Cards. Morgan Jones tallied eight points, four rebounds, and three steals, while Mykasa Robinson chipped in with four points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals off the bench.
Georgia Tech shot 40 percent from the field while shooting 41 percent from beyond the arc. The Yellow Jackets were able to get 22 points off the bench in the loss.
Kara Dunn scored 17 points while shooting 50 percent from the field and three-point range. Cameron Swartz and Bianca Jackson were able to score 10 points apiece off the bench.
It was a big first quarter for both Dunn and Van Lith as they were able to score nine and eight points. Dunn hit a three-point shot from the left wing with 1:36 remaining in the quarter to take a 16-12 lead which would end up being the Yellow Jacket's largest lead of the contest. The Cardinals responded as Van Lith drove down the lane and found Josie Williams for a layup. Moments later, Van Lith hit a mid-range jumper to tie the game at 16 a piece to cap off the first quarter.
Van Lith got things going for the Cards to start the second quarter with consecutive mid-range jumpers. Moments later Josie Williams had a defensive rebound which led to a Merissah Russel layup off a Robinson pass which was lobbed over the defensive from the opposing free-throw line. The Yellow Jackets responded with a 5-0 run of their own to cut the Louisville lead to 22-21.
The Cardinals answered with a 10-0 run, which was capped by four points generated off turnovers as the full-court defense gave the Yellow Jackets issues. Georgia Tech hit a shot from beyond the arc and Louisville went into the half with a 32-24 advantage.
After maintaining a double-digit lead out of the break, Louisville gave up back-to-back threes to end the third quarter which cut its advantage to 46-40 heading into the fourth quarter.
Ahead by four points late in the final quarter of play, Robinson was able to seal the game scoring four straight points to expand the Cardinal lead to 61-53 with 23 seconds remaining.
The Cards conclude the quick homestand with a rematch of an earlier ACC matchup this season. Louisville will face off with Pitt for the second time in three weeks when the Panthers come to the KFC Yum! Center. The Cards and Panthers square off at 2 p.m. ET this Sunday on ACC Network and the Cards will honor the 10-year anniversary of the 2013 National Runner-Up Team. A number of players from the 2012-13 team will be in attendance for Sunday's game.
(Photo of Hailey Van Lith: Matt Stone - The Louisville Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK)
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