Louisville survives South Florida, 60-56 to move into American Athletic Conference final

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Second-seeded Louisville needed all forty minutes to defeat South Florida, 60-56 and advance to the American Athletic Conference women’s basketball tournament final against Connecticut.

South Florida led for most of the game, before a hanging Shoni Schimmel jump shot in the final minute gave the Cardinals a 58-56 lead. Her sister Jude stole the inbounds play and hit two foul shots for the final margin of victory.

“We didn’t play fantastic, but I thought South Florida has a lot to do with that,” said coach Jeff Walz after the game, while endorsing the Bulls as one of the top 64 teams for NCAA tournament selection.

“We have to get better in taking care of the basketball, and executing at crunch time,” he continued.

Shoni Schimmel led Louisville with 17 points, including five three-pointers, while Asia Taylor contributed eight points and eleven rebounds.

However it was the defense by Bria Smith, locking down South Florida three-point shooter Inga Orekhova late in the game that was a difference maker for the Cardinals.

Orekhova and Courtney WIlliams each finished with 19 points for the Bulls, combining for 38 of the team’s 56 points.

Louisville advances to play top-seeded Connecticut in tomorrow night’s final.