Cards crush Iowa 83-53

The 3-seed Louisville women's team said they were playing for respect. They earned it with a dominant 83-53 win over 6-seed Iowa Tuesday night in Iowa City.

Entering the NCAA Tournament with a 30-4 record, most analysts believed Louisville was likely a 1 seed, but the Cardinals were seeded No. 3 in the Louisville region. Since that slight, Louisville has crushed both of its foes.

In UofL's opening round game against No. 14 seed Idaho, the Cardinals cruised to an 88-42 win. Louisville coach Jeff Walz said he believed beating Iowa on its home court would be a much tougher task.

His Cardinals built a double digit lead in the first 10 minutes of the game, finished the first half up by 20 and led Iowa by 30 or more points for most of the second half. It was as dominant as the Cardinals have looked all season.

"We just need to stay focused and keep getting those wins one game at a time," senior guard Shoni Schimmel said after the big win.

Schimmel led all scorers with 26 points. Antonita Slaughter scored 17 and three other Louisville players scored 10 points, Asia Taylor, Tia Gibbs and Jude Schimmel. Louisville ended the game shooting 53.1 percent while holding Iowa to 33.3 percent shooting including a paltry 1 for 16 from three-point range.

Louisville, last year's NCAA runner-up, has advanced to the Sweet 16 which will be held Sunday and Tuesday at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville. The Cardinals will face 7-seed LSU, who beat 2-seed West Virginia Tuesday night.

LSU is a familiar foe. The Cardinals beat the Tigers 88-67 on Nov. 14, led by 23 points from Asia Taylor and 15 from Schimmel.