For all the haters who crow on about how “nobody” watches women’s basketball – or women’s sports in general, Louisville’s KFC Yum! Center on Thursday sure had plenty of “nobodies” filling the stands.
What a crowd for Louisville vs. UCONN women’s basketball at the KFC Yum! Center. pic.twitter.com/ekJzc2t1A8
— Dominique Yates (@RealDYates) February 1, 2019
Over 17,000 to be exact. Show that video to a troll to get them in their feelings.
Those 17,000 in Kentuckiana were treated to what was a marquee contest on the women’s basketball schedule when No. 3 Louisville took on No. 2 UConn in what could very well be a preview of a Final Four or national championship game.
If the game was a glimpse into the future this April, Cardinals fans are grinning from ear to ear as Jeff Walz’s Louisville team defeated Geno Auriemma’s Huskies by a final of 78-69.
Largest crowd in #ncaaW this season ✔️
Win over No. 2 UConn ✔️Thank you for bringing the energy! 🔋🔋 pic.twitter.com/NiUr8iG5uk
— Louisville WBB (@UofLWBB) February 1, 2019
Walz talks about the value of exciting women’s basketball games like U of L/UConn and how it benefits both teams: pic.twitter.com/EBj73suuwM
— Louisville Cardinal (@TheCardSports) February 1, 2019
That contest also had a plethora of WNBA-caliber talent as expected. Scouts from the New York Liberty, Chicago Sky, Indiana Fever, and Dallas Wings were on hand.
It’s getting LOUD! Louisville leads UCONN 73-61. 54.7 seconds away from a win. pic.twitter.com/BAlHnKg5rB
— Dominique Yates (@RealDYates) February 1, 2019
Those scouts likely had their eyes on Asia Durr – and for good reason. She tallied 24 points in 40 minutes leading her Cardinals to the victory. Dana Evans added 20 points off the bench. Jazmine Jones and Sam Fuehring each chimed in with double doubles. Jones scored 13 and Fuehring scored 10 with both hauling in 12 rebounds each.
Speaking of potential WNBA draftees, Napheesa Collier scored 20 points to go along with eight rebounds and six assists. Crystal Dangerfield had 19 points with eight boards and Katie Lou Samuelson contributed 16 to the Huskies’ efforts.
UConn head coach Geno Auriemma’s opening statement:
“We lost our composure a little bit and the offense fell apart. We made a lot of mistakes tonight defensively, and they took advantage of every one of them. Credit to them. They played well. They shot the ball well.” pic.twitter.com/w7R7VWwErH
— Louisville Cardinal (@TheCardSports) February 1, 2019
UConn fans could feel some sort of way about the free throw discrepancy. The Cardinals went 17-24 from the free throw line while the Huskies only had 12 tries from the charity stripe – seven of which were made.
Jeff Walz addresses crowd following Louisville win over UConn pic.twitter.com/zTioZppGbE
— Michael McCammon (@mcmichael20) February 1, 2019
Next up for the Cardinals will be a road contest at Clemson on Saturday. As for the Huskies, they will not have far to travel for its next game as they face Cincinnati tomorrow afternoon.
