In a thrilling matchup at the KFC Yum! Center, the Louisville Cardinals emerged victorious over the Syracuse Orange with a final score of 86-77. The Cardinals (11-4, 2-0) extended their winning streak to six games, shooting over 50% from the field for the third consecutive game. Hailey Van Lith led the way for Louisville with 24 points, six assists, and five rebounds, while Morgan Jones and Olivia Cochran added 15 points and seven rebounds each. Chrislyn Carr chipped in with 12 points, knocking down four three-pointers, and Nyla Harris contributed eight points and a career-high 10 rebounds.
Syracuse (10-3, 1-1) was led by Teisha Hyman with 27 points, four assists, and two rebounds. Dyaisha Fair totaled 13 points and five assists, but was held to a season-low field goal percentage of 17% on 3-of-18 shooting. Dariauna Lewis recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
The game started off with a series of runs, with Louisville falling behind 0-5 before going on an 8-0 run to take an 8-5 lead early in the first quarter. Syracuse responded with a 12-2 run, but Van Lith hit a midrange jumper with 27 seconds remaining in the quarter to tie the game at 21. Van Lith then fueled a 10-3 run to begin the second quarter, but Syracuse narrowed the Louisville lead to two points with 3:02 left in the half. The Cardinals were able to expand their lead to six heading into the break, leading 42-36.
In the third quarter, Louisville took control of the game, outscoring Syracuse 13-1 to start the quarter and holding a 55-37 lead. The Orange pulled within 12 points, but Jones scored eight points in the final four minutes of the quarter to help the Cardinals maintain a 69-55 cushion heading into the fourth quarter. The Cardinals then took their largest lead of the game with 8:59 remaining in the final quarter as Merissah Russell hit a three-pointer to gain an 18-point advantage, 73-55. Although Syracuse scored the final eight points of the game, it was not enough as Louisville secured the nine-point victory.
The Cardinals will hit the road to start the new year, taking on Duke on Sunday, January 1 at noon from Cameron Indoor Stadium. The game will be broadcast on RSN, so fans should check their local listings for where to find the broadcast.
