Durr, Hines-Allen rescue No. 4 Louisville from near upset

Syracuse, NJ — A huge third period effort, led by Myisha Hines-Allen and Asia Durr, propelled the No. 4 Louisville Cardinals to an 84 - 77 victory over the Syracuse Orange.

Louisville and Syracuse got into a running match in the first five minutes. The Orange held the 16 - 12 advantage as Digna Strautmane fired off two triples and Tiana Mangakahia added two layups. Louisville’s Jazmine Jones kept the Cardinals in the game knocking down six points.

The first period saw nine lead changes as both teams battled for the lead. But, Syracuse won the first outscoring Louisville, 23 - 21 on 67% shooting.

Despite the Orange’s two point lead, Syracuse struggled to hold on to the ball committing seven turnovers. However, the Orange’s dominance on the glass gave Syracuse the advantage.

A Louisville sophomore SHOOK up the second period. Kylee Shook put the Cardinals up 27 - 23 scoring six consecutive points. Shook’s spark fired up Louisville as the Cardinals went on a 9 - 2 run, forcing Syracuse to burn a timeout. Louisville took a 30 - 25 lead with five minutes remaining in the half.

Miranda Drummond and Strautmane cut into the Cardinals lead as both nailed three-pointers. Louisville’s Sydney Zambrotta fired back with two triples of her own, including a three-pointer as time expired. Zambrotta’s buzzer-beating three gave the Cardinals momentum going into the locker room. Louisville outscored Syracuse 19 - 12 to go ahead 40 - 35 at the half.

Myisha Hines-Allen had a lackluster first half scoring only four points. The third period saw a new Hines-Allen. The senior forward, along with Asia Durr, scored five quick points, putting the Cardinals up 45 - 35 and forcing a Syracuse timeout nearly one minute into the half. Durr’s triple put her at 1,501 career points, moving the junior into top-10 of Louisville’s all-time scorers.

Louisville’s dynamic duo, Hines-Allen and Durr, did not let up. Hines-Allen ended the period with 11 points, while Durr added nine. Together, the duo combined for 20 of Louisville’s 26 third period points.

The Cardinals were able to keep Strautmane quiet for much of the quarter, forcing the Orange to look to Mangakahia, who scored six of Syracuse’s 16-points.

It seemed as if the Cardinals had locked up the win heading into the final period with a 15 point lead. However, the Orange did not bow down. Syracuse outscored Louisville 26 - 18 in the final period.

Amaya Finklea-Guity, who had five points in the first period, grabbed four huge points late in the game, cutting Louisville’s lead to single digits. Mangakahia and Drummond added five quick points in the closing seconds, but the Cardinals still held on to win, 84 - 77.

Top Scorers:

Louisville had three players grab double-digits: Asia Durr led all scorers with 27 points to go along with seven assists. Myisha Hines-Allen earned her 41st career double-double on 19 points and 11 rebounds. She also recorded five assists. Sam Fuehring’s late triple gave her 12 points to go along with eight rebounds and three assists.

For the Orange, three players notched double-figures: Digna Strautmane paced Syracuse with 22 points. Tiana Mangakahia earned a double-double on 20 points and 10 assists, while Miranda Drummond added 12 points and six rebounds.

Next Up:

The No. 4 Louisville Cardinals return home to face Clemson on Wednesday, February 7th at 7 PM.

Syracuse travels to WInston-Salem to face the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Sunday, February 11th at 2 PM.