The University of Louisville women’s basketball team achieved a historic victory, crushing Bellarmine with a score of 111-33 and extending their unbeaten streak to 3-0 for the season. The 78-point triumph marked the largest margin of victory under the leadership of head coach Jeff Walz.
In an extraordinary performance, eight Cardinals reached double figures in scoring, a first in program history. Sydney Taylor led the charge with an impressive 15-point contribution, showcasing her skills with 5-of-8 shooting from the field, including 2-of-4 from beyond the arc. Taylor also demonstrated her playmaking abilities with a team-high four assists and two steals.
Nyla Harris closely followed with 14 points, displaying exceptional accuracy with a perfect 5-of-5 from the field and 4-of-4 from the free-throw line. Harris also added three rebounds and a steal to her impressive stat line.
Sophomore Alexia Mobley had a standout performance, setting a career-high with 12 points. Mobley maintained perfection in both field goals and free throws, contributing four rebounds and two steals to the team’s dominant display.
Freshman Elif Istanbulluoglu achieved her first career double-double with 10 points and a team-high 12 rebounds. This accomplishment marked the first double-double by a freshman since Olivia Cochran achieved 13 points and 15 rebounds in the 2021 NCAA Tournament.
The Cardinals asserted their dominance early, forcing 18 turnovers in the first half alone and heading into halftime with a commanding 48-9 lead. Bellarmine’s nine first-half points represented the third-fewest allowed in a first half in program history.
Louisville continued their relentless performance throughout the game, showcasing their superiority with multiple double-digit scoring runs. With this victory, the Cardinals extended their winning streak to 35 consecutive games when allowing 59 points or less, dating back to the 2020-21 season.
The Cardinals are set to conclude their three-game homestand on Sunday, November 19, facing off against Bucknell. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on the ACC Network. The team looks to maintain their momentum and further solidify their standing as a force to be reckoned with in women’s college basketball.