Freshman Megan Deines and junior Shoni Schimmel scored 16 points apiece but on Wednesday night it was defense that helped the University of Louisville women's basketball team to a victory in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
The Cardinals held Gonzaga to one field goal - with three seconds left - in the final eight minutes and allowed just two points to the Zags top two leading scorers in a 55-42 win in the semifinals of the Hardwood Tournament of Hope.
"We did a great job," U of L coach Jeff Walz said. "The way they played was absolutely amazing defensively. We did a great job.
"I don't know if it's bad for them or good for them, but now they have showed me they can do it. So, I am going to expect it all the time."
Deines hit 4 of 6 three-point field goals, while Schimmel had three assists and scored 13 of her 16 points in the second half.
The Cardinals never trailed in the game and moved to 5-0 for the first time since the 2008-09 season.
Louisville will now face Oregon State in the championship game of the event on Thursday at 9:30 p.m.