At Louisville, Schimmel sisters can play some 'rez ball,' promote Native American athletes

Published April 08, 2013

Associated Press

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  Louisville guard sisters Jude Schimmel, left, and Shoni Schimmel smile during a news conference for the women's NCAA Final Four college basketball tournament final, Monday, April 8, 2013, in New Orleans. Louisville plays Connecticut in the championship game on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)The Associated Press

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  Louisville guard Shoni Schimmel (23) shoots in the first half of a national semifinal at the Women's Final Four of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, April 7, 2013, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)The Associated Press

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  Louisville head coach Jeff Walz and Jude Schimmel (22) talk on the sideline against California in the first half of a national semifinal at the Women's Final Four of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, April 7, 2013, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)The Associated Press

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NEW ORLEANS –  When Louisville's Shoni Schimmel whipped a behind-the-back bounce pass to younger sister Jude for a fast-break layup in the women's Final Four, fellow Native Americans were watching at gatherings on reservations nationwide.

One was former WNBA player Ryneldi Becenti on the Navajo Reservation in New Mexico. She says she was delighted by the free-wheeling style of play Native Americans know as "rez ball."

The Schimmel sisters chose Louisville in part because coach Jeff Walz has the patience to leave them in games when attempts at razzle-dazzle go wrong. But the sisters have done enough right to help the Cardinals pull off a string of NCAA tournament upsets en route to Tuesday night's national title tilt against Connecticut.

The Schimmels say they hope their success creates opportunities for other Native American athletes.

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Louisville downs Oregon, advances to Elite Eight

Published March 29, 2013

Sports Network

Indianapolis, IN –  Russ Smith scored 31 points in leading Louisville back to the Elite Eight, as the top-seeded Cardinals handled Oregon, 77-69, in the first Midwest Regional semifinal at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Louisville never trailed but had to fend off the 12th-seeded Ducks down the stretch to reach a regional final for the fourth time in the last six years, including last season's Final Four appearance.

Kevin Ware added 11 points while Gorgui Dieng chipped in 10 with nine rebounds for the Cardinals, who are riding a 13-game winning streak into Sunday's showdown between either Duke or Michigan State.

Rick Pitino, who was coaching in his 900th collegiate game, improved to 11-0 in Sweet 16 games, though this was the first victory by single digits.

Oregon (28-9) trailed by 18 at one point and fell short of a stunning comeback after pulling within six with five minutes to go. E.J. Singler's 15 points paced the Pac-12 Tournament champions, while Dominic Artis and Damyean Dotson chipped in 12 apiece.

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Louisville downs Purdue, earns spot in Sweet 16

Published March 26, 2013

Sports Network

Louisville, KY –  For the second time in the last three seasons the Louisville Cardinals will be in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament after they posted a 76-63 victory over the Purdue Boilermakers at the KFC Yum! Center.

Sara Hammond recorded a double-double of 21 points and 10 rebounds to pace the fifth-seeded Cardinals (26-8) who advance to face either top-seed Baylor or eighth-seed Florida State in the next round. Antonita Slaughter contributed 16 points and seven boards and Shoni Schimmel tacked on 14 points but did have 10 turnovers. Louisville is returning to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2011.

Sam Ostarello registered 16 points and 12 rebounds and K.K. Housera added 10 points and five assists but also had nine turnovers for Purdue (25-9).

On their home floor, the Cardinals ran out to a 38-23 lead at halftime by shooting 43.3 percent from the field while connecting on 5-of-10 shots from beyond the arc. Purdue shot just 32.3 percent and had a single 3-pointer to fall behind.

The 3-point line was not so kind to Louisville after the break when it hit just 2-of-7 attempts but by shooting 50 percent overall was able to hold off the Boilermakers.

Louisville owned a 38-32 edge in rebounds. The two teams combined for 43 turnovers.

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Notre Dame gets past Louisville and into Big East final

Hartford, CT –  Kayla McBride had 17 points and the second- ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish extended their winning streak to 25 games with an 83-59 victory over the 16th-ranked Louisville Cardinals in the semifinals of the Big East Tournament.

Skylar Diggins added 14 points, six assists and four steals for the Fighting Irish (30-1), who will play either Syracuse or Connecticut in Tuesday's title game. Kaila Turner and Natalie Achonwa tallied 12 and 11 points, respectively.

Notre Dame reached the 30-win mark for the third consecutive season and the fifth time in program history.

Shoni Schimmel ended with 20 points for the Cardinals (24-8), who got 12 points from Sara Hammond.

Holding a six-point lead at the break, Notre Dame put the game away in the early stages of the second half. A 13-2 surge gave the Fighting Irish a 45-28 margin and they would never look back.

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