In a commanding performance, the 15th-ranked Louisville women’s basketball team (15-2, 4-0 ACC) showcased their dominance with an 83-62 victory over Wake Forest (4-13, 0-5 ACC) at the KFC Yum! Center, maintaining their flawless record in conference play. The Cardinals’ well-rounded offensive display, defensive prowess, and efficient shooting propelled them to a convincing win, marking their second occasion this season with six or more players scoring in double digits.
Key Highlights and Contributions:
- Balanced Scoring Attack:
- Louisville exhibited a balanced scoring attack, with six players reaching double figures in points. Jayda Curry and Olivia Cochran led the way with 12 points each.
- Other notable contributors to the double-digit scoring included Sydney Taylor (11), Kiki Jefferson (10), Nyla Harris (10), and Merissah Russell (10).
- Efficient Shooting and Three-Point Accuracy:
- The Cardinals displayed remarkable shooting efficiency, making 55.4% of their field goals (31-of-56).
- A season-best performance from beyond the arc saw Louisville connecting on 63.6% of their three-point attempts (7-of-11).
- Fast Start and Defensive Pressure:
- Louisville initiated the game with a 12-5 run, demonstrating early dominance and applying defensive pressure that led to multiple Wake Forest turnovers.
- The Cardinals’ defensive efforts continued as they forced a total of 12 turnovers in the first half.
- Decisive Second Period Run:
- A crucial 8-0 run in the second period, featuring Russell’s three-pointers, allowed Louisville to extend their lead to 30-21.
- The Cardinals further intensified their performance with a 16-2 run, creating a substantial 46-27 lead at halftime.
- Closing Strong in the Third Quarter:
- Wake Forest showed resilience in the third quarter, winning the period 14-13. However, Louisville closed out the quarter with a 7-0 run, securing a 66-41 advantage heading into the final period.
- Maintaining Control in the Fourth Quarter:
- The Cardinals continued their composed performance in the fourth quarter, with both teams exchanging baskets.
- Contributions from Elif Istanbulluoglu and Alexia Mobley in the final frame contributed to the team’s overall success.
Upcoming Road Swing: Louisville’s attention now shifts to a two-game road swing, with the next matchup against the Clemson Tigers in Clemson, S.C., on Thursday, January 18, at 7 p.m. ET. The game will be streamed on the ACC Network Extra.
The Cardinals, guided by their well-rounded roster and strong team dynamics, aim to carry the momentum from this decisive victory into their upcoming challenges on the road. As they continue their ACC campaign, Louisville remains a formidable force in women’s college basketball, poised for further success in the season ahead.
