Mark BlankenbakerThe Louisville Cardinals won a grinder vs. the Virginia Cavaliers on Thursday night at the KFC Yum! Center. Jeff Walz squad donned pink jerseys to raise cancer awareness. TheCrunchZone.com’s Wiliam Caudill was on hand to snap the action along with UofLCardGame’s Cindy Shelton.
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- Final Four, Yum! Center 2013 National Championship
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- Final Four, Yum! Center 2013 National Championship
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- Yum! Center
Asia Durr had 13 points and No. 4 Louisville stepped up defensively in a 51-39 victory over Virginia on Thursday night.
The Cardinals (28-2, 14-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) limited Virginia to 27 percent shooting and forced 21 turnovers in the win. Louisville shot just 38 percent but won its third in a row by stifling the Cavaliers (16-12, 9-6), who shot just 8-of-40 from the field over the final three quarters.
The Cavaliers’ miscues meanwhile led to 27 points for Louisville, which also recorded 12 steals.
Durr, who left Sunday’s win at North Carolina late in the game with a sprained ankle, started against the Cavaliers and made 5 of 17 shots, including three 3-pointers. Louisville needed them all; its point total was the lowest in a victory this season.
Jazmine Jones added 10 points for the Cardinals.
Lauren Moses finished with 10 points for Virginia, which lost its third in a row and fifth in six games.
BIG PICTURE
Virginia: After shooting 5 of 9 in the first quarter, baskets were scarce for the Cavaliers. Most of their struggles were of their own doing, as Louisville frequently picked off passes inside and turned them into points. Shooting has been an issue during their slump, and they finished with their second-lowest percentage this season. Their one bright spot was outrebounding Louisville 37-33.
Louisville: The Cardinals offset shooting issues with strong defense that created numerous chances. Their hustle on the Cavaliers’ end keyed a 27-9 advantage in points off turnovers and forced them into looks they didn’t want. It wasn’t pretty, but they moved closer toward clinching at least a share of their first ACC regular season title in the process.
UP NEXT
Virginia closes the regular season Sunday at Wake Forest.
Louisville hosts Pittsburgh Sunday in its regular season finale, seeking a season sweep of the Panthers.
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