NCAA Tournament 2013: Louisville's shooting overcame a strong statistical performance by Baylor

Defeated in almost every statistical category, the Louisville Cardinals won the big one, the scoreboard, knocking out the top seeded Baylor Lady Bears 82-81 in a huge Sweet Sixteen upset in the 2013 NCAA Tournament.

The numbers of note:

In one of those rarest of occurrences, Baylor actually 'won' the offensive efficiency while losing the game. The pace was not a surprise given Louisville's willingness to push the ball and get a good look from three in transition. Another factor was Baylor's extending the game late with added possessions as they made their comeback from double digit deficits.

To little surprise, the Cardinals claimed a big edge in effective field goal percentage. They shot 11-for-31 (36%) from two point range and a white hot 16 of 25 (64%) from three. Antonita Slaughter, 21 points, did a great deal of damage firing 7-for-10 from long range.

Louisville coach Jeff Walz realized a post up game or dribble penetration was not going to beat a defense anchored by Britney Griner. Walz opted for the three pointer. By hitting early the Cardinals built a double digit lead thus forcing Baylor into relatively uncharted area. That is, trying to come from behind with a second half deficit greater than three possessions. To Baylor's credit, Kim Mulkey's club almost did.

Britney Griner's last game in a Baylor uniform saw her limited by the swarming Louisville defense to 10 field goal attempts. She converted 4 but even among those 10 shots, several came off offensive rebounds as she pulled down 5 (10 overall). Teammate Odyssey Sims stepped up in all areas adding 10 rebounds (7 offensive), 5 assists and six steals. She did commit five turnovers but still, as Griner did, she logged the full forty minutes and was instrumental of a notable comeback that ultimately just fell short.

And so ended the defending champions' reign.

For more on this game, check out our Oklahoma City region storystream.