Cream and crimson look to bounce back after loss

After falling to Arkansas 53-50 in a heartbreaking loss Wednesday, the IU women's basketball team will look to bounce back as they gear up for the Louisville Cardinals Friday night at Assembly Hall.\nDespite Wednesday night's defeat, the Hoosiers (2-2) are hoping to overcome a tough loss after a valiant effort against the Lady Backs. The cream and crimson continued its solid early season defensive efforts as they held the Razorbacks leading scorer, sophomore Kristin Peoples, to only eight points as well as holding the entire Arkansas squad to just 33 percent shooting for the game.\nThroughout much of the game, the Hoosiers were in command, nevertheless they let one slip away from them in the final minutes. With less than one minute left in the see-saw battle, Peoples nailed a three-point shot to put the Lady Backs ahead of the Hoosiers, 53-50. IU had one last chance to respond as sophomore Annika Boyd pulled up for a shot in the final seconds, but it did not fall.\nThe Louisville Cardinals come into Friday night's contest with an identical 2-2 record and will be looking for their first non-conference victory of the year. Louisville is led by a pair of sophomores -- Jazz Covington and Indiana native Missy Taylor. Covington and Taylor are combining for 31.8 points per game while ripping down 21.1 rebounds a game.\nTaylor, a transfer from Purdue, and Covington, a freshman All-American last season, pose as the Hoosiers' biggest threat on both ends of the floor. Jamie Gathing, along with juniors Angela Hawkins and Brigett Branson as well as sophomore Sarah McKay will look to contain the Cardinal's dynamic duo of Covington and Taylor.\nThe Lady Cardinals are coming into Friday's game off a 54-49 defeat at the hands of North Carolina State last Saturday in the Paradise Jam Championship Game played in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. Covington led the way for Louisville with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Taylor contributed a quiet seven points and eight rebounds in the win.\nIn spite of the loss to N.C. State squad Saturday, the Cardinals have had impressive wins against Auburn and Hampton earlier this season. Auburn was ranked in nearly every preseason poll, and Louisville's 76-60 victory against the Tigers has allowed the Lady Cardinals to receive recognition for their efforts, as http://cbssportsline.com ranks them 27th nationally. \nIU coach Kathi Bennett said she thinks Friday's game against the Cardinals will be a great way to bounce back after an outstanding effort in the Hoosier loss to Arkansas as well as getting back on track in the win column. Bennett feels strongly about Louisville and understands they will present the Hoosiers with the difficult task of keeping the Cardinals post players in check.\n"Louisville is definitely one of the best offensive teams we will face," Bennett said. "They have great post players in Covington and Taylor, and we will have to be great on their ball screens and watch for their high-low game. Overall, though, I think this will be a great opportunity to come back so soon and get over a tough loss."\n-- Contact staff writer Matt \nOstrega at mostrega@indiana.edu.