LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — The scoreboard told one story. The second-half stat sheet, and the sideline, told another.
Louisville women’s basketball opened its season Tuesday night with a 79-66 loss to top-ranked UConn in the Armed Forces Classic on the campus of the U.S. Naval Academy.
For much of the game, it looked like a repeat of last year’s blowout in Storrs, when Louisville trailed by 46 and lost by 32. The start wasn’t much better. The Cardinals fell behind 14-1, trailed 25-9 after one quarter, and were down by as many as 28 early in the third.
But this time, they kept fighting.
Louisville outscored UConn over the game's final three quarters, including a 26-18 edge in the fourth quarter. A 10-0 run cut the deficit to 10 with 2:22 remaining, sparked by Laura Ziegler’s shooting and Taj Roberts’ decision-making. The Cardinals never got closer, but they kept coming.
“We showed fight,” head coach Jeff Walz said. “That’s exactly what we showed, and that’s what I was really proud of them for. When we played them last year, we rolled over and just got embarrassed. Today, I thought we got our composure.”
Ziegler, a transfer from St. Joseph’s, was at the center of it. Though UConn freshman Sarah Strong dominated with 21 points, nine rebounds and five assists in her debut, Ziegler battled back with a double-double of her own: 16 points and 18 rebounds, including three 3-pointers in the second half.
“She was great,” Walz said. “She knows how to play. She knows how to put herself in position to get open. She’s experienced. She’s confident. And she’s positive — that’s what you have to have.”
Freshman Imari Berry added 13 points. Sophomore Skylar Jones chipped in 13 off the bench. Both helped power the second-half push. Walz admitted Berry started the game “scared,” but credited her for settling in and responding.
“We executed,” Walz said. “Our kids did a good job. I was proud of Taj … We ran a set that is for Imari or a guard who’s made shots to get a three, and she called it herself. I told her I was proud of her. That’s a huge step — understanding the moment.”
UConn struggled from 3-point range (4-of-26) but stayed in control with 50 points in the paint and a 47-43 rebounding edge. Azzi Fudd scored 20. KK Arnold added 13. The Huskies led for all but 55 seconds.
But the final five minutes belonged to Louisville.
It wasn’t a win. But it was a window into what this team might become.
“We’ve got to get back to work,” Walz said.
The Cardinals are scheduled to return to Louisville on Wednesday, though their travel plans were in flux late Tuesday after a UPS plane crash closed the city’s airport. Louisville is set to host Northern Kentucky on Sunday at 2 p.m. at the KFC Yum! Center.
“Our prayers go out to everyone involved,” Walz said. “Obviously, it’s a very, very sad thing.”
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