In a highly anticipated match-up, the #17/16 Louisville Cardinals secured a dominant 61-44 victory over the Duke Blue Devils. This win marked a significant milestone for Louisville, as they became the 27th program in history to reach 1,000 program wins. They are also the fourth ACC program to achieve this feat.
Louisville’s dominance at home against unranked ACC opponents continued, maintaining their perfect 53-0 record in such matchups since joining the league. Their success in ACC play over the years is evident, boasting a strong 128-24 win-loss record since the 2014-15 season. In fact, they are the only program with a winning percentage of .800 or greater in ACC play over the last 10 seasons and hold eight more conference wins than the second-best team during that span.
The Cardinals’ defensive prowess was on full display in this game, as they extended their remarkable 41-game winning streak when allowing their opponents to score 59 or fewer points. Over the past nine seasons, they have an impressive record of 148-4 when keeping their opponents under 59 points.
Duke struggled to find their offensive rhythm, managing to score a season-low 44 points. Louisville’s suffocating defense held the Blue Devils to just four points in the second quarter. This season, the Cardinals have limited their opponents to single-digit quarters 10 times, with seven of those occurring in the second quarter.
Louisville’s ability to force turnovers played a crucial role in their victory, as they capitalized on 27 Duke turnovers. This marks the 11th time this season that the Cardinals have forced 20 or more turnovers in a game. Duke’s 27 turnovers were the most they have had in a game since January 9, 2020, when they faced Virginia and had 28 turnovers.
The Cardinals’ dominance against unranked opponents continued, with an impressive record of 194-10 in their last 204 games. Their success at the free throw line was also evident, as they finished the game shooting 81% from the charity stripe, going 17-for-21. This is the eighth game this season that the Cardinals have shot 80% or better from the free throw line.
Individually, Olivia Cochran continued her impressive streak of double-digit point performances, scoring 13 points in this game. She also contributed six rebounds, three steals, and one block. Kiki Jefferson had a team-high 15 points, shooting a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line. Merissah Russell scored in double figures for the second consecutive game with 10 points, shooting 4-for-6 from the field. Sydney Taylor led the team with four assists and added seven points and four rebounds.
Louisville’s win over Duke not only showcased their defensive prowess but also solidified their position as one of the top programs in college basketball. As they continue to add to their impressive win total, the Cardinals are proving to be a force to be reckoned with in the ACC and beyond.
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