RV/#25 UofL WBB Runs Past Bellarmine, 73-43

The University of Louisville women’s basketball returned to a familiar venue on Wednesday night as they 73-43 in Freedom Hall. This was the Cardinals (8-4) first game in Freedom Hall since March 17, 2010, when they played their final home game in the venue before moving to the KFC Yum! Center. Defense was the story for the Cards as they limited the Knights (4-7) to just eight points in the first half, tying a program record. 

Hailey Van Lith led the team with 19 points in the win to go with six rebounds, three assists and a steal. It is the ninth time in her 11 games this season that she has scored 18 points or more and the eighth time she has led the team in scoring. Chrislyn Carr added 13 points of her own and was 3-of-6 from behind the arc. It was the fifth time in the last six games she has scored in double figures and she had a team and season high seven assists. Olivia Cochran had a team-high eight rebounds, her eighth game this season with seven or more.

After a slow start from both teams to begin the first quarter, Louisville used a 10-0 run after the media timeout to put some distance between them and the Knights. The Cardinals defense limited the Knights to just six first quarter points as the Cards held a 15-6 lead after the first 10 minutes of play. Carr was the catalyst over the quarter, as she led the team with seven points on 3-of-3 shooting with two steals.

Louisville went on an 11-0 run to start the second quarter to further increase their lead. The defense was at another level in the second as Bellarmine scored only two points the entire quarter. It tied for the lowest points the Cardinals have allowed in a quarter since quarters were implemented in the 2015-16. The eight points allowed in the first half tied the program record for fewest points allowed in a half. Van Lith led all scorers in the first half with 10 points.

The Cardinals stout defense continued into the third quarter. They held the Knights scoreless for over eight minutes of game action and strung together a 38-8 run. The run lasted over 20 minutes of game time and spanned across the first three quarters of play. 

A number of players got key minutes in the fourth quarter as the Cardinals held firm on the lead. 11 total players saw the court against the Knights with nine players getting on the scoresheet.

The Cardinals were active in the passing lanes after tallying 13 steals. The Cardinals turn those steals into 24 points off turnovers, their ninth game this season with 20 or more points off turnovers. 

The Cardinals continue their season-long road trip as conference play begins this weekend. Louisville will travel to Pittsburgh to open the conference slate on Sunday, December 18. The Cardinals and Panthers are set to square off at the Peterson Event Center at 2 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on ACC Network.