Louisville Defeats Wake Forest to Advance to ACC WBB Tourney Semifinals
Greensboro, NC – No. 4 seed Louisville women’s basketball team faced 12th seed Wake Forest on day 3, March 3rd, of the ACC women’s basketball tournament in which they defeated the Deacons 74-48 thanks to a solid defensive effort and 26 points from Hailey Van Lith. Louisville’s winning margin was the greatest in the ACC Tournament’s history at 26 points In the quarterfinals of the ACC WBB Tournament at Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, N.C.
A lineup adjustment was prompted by U of L’s most recent performance against Wake Forest on Jan. 26 and resulted from the team’s inconsistent play, which resulted in a 68-57 loss. The Cardinals fell short in the third quarter after allowing the Demon Deacons to go on an 18-0 run.
Within the 1st quarter, Wake shot a 35% field goal meanwhile Louisville shot a 39% field goal. Norika Konno was replaced in the starting lineup on Friday by Chrislyn Carr, but it was Van Lith who led the squad early on. She went 4-4 from the 3-point line and added an extra 5 points to end the quarter which led to Wake forest switching their defense to face-guarding Van Lith in the 2nd quarter.
Once Louisville recognized the Deacon’s efforts of face-guarding, they quickly set screens which forced Wake Forest defenders to fight over 2 people. This and The Cardinal’s full-court press defense caused some fatigued players for The Deacons. However, Wake Forest was able to cut Louisville’s lead to 34-24 within the last few minutes of the first half by going on a 7-0 run.
In the ACC Tournament, the Demon Deacons have developed a tendency to regain the lead. In the third quarter of the first-round game against Virginia on Wednesday, they outscored them 21-2, and against Florida State on Thursday, they outscored them 29-8. However coming out of the half, Louisville gained a 20-point lead. Wake Forest only scored 11 points in the third period, with seven of those coming in the final two minutes. The Demon Deacons’ attack was restrained by the ball pressure and half-court trap used by the Cardinals.
Olivia Cochran, who had earlier been in foul trouble, overtook Van Lith’s scoring prowess on offense after the break, finishing with 11 points and scoring the first few baskets of the 4th quarter, solidifying their chances of a team win. Chrislyn Carr also added 16 points to end the game with a win.
Jewel Spear, a key player for Wake Forest, had to be subbed out with 4:40 to go in the fourth quarter due to being fatigued. However, she gave it her all up until that time. She scored 15 points for her team and went 4-10 from the 3-point line. Her teammate, Elis Williams led the team with 16 points, going 6-10 from the field goal.
Louisville has made the semifinals of the ACC WBB Tournament that will start Saturday, March 3rd back at the Greensboro Coliseum.
Feature image: Dazia Pope-Taylor