Louisville Dominates Bellarmine with Record-Breaking Performance
In a commanding victory, the Louisville Cardinals soared past Bellarmine with a final score of 111-33. The game, held at the KFC Yum! Center, drew an attendance of 7,486 enthusiastic fans.
The Cardinals made history with eight players scoring in double figures, setting a program record. The previous record, achieved in 2017 against Tennessee State, featured seven players reaching double digits. Head Coach Walz expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, stating, “We have incredible depth and talent on this roster, and tonight, it really showed.”
Louisville’s offensive prowess was on full display, as they racked up 111 points, the highest since their record-setting game against DePaul in 2020. The Cardinals stifled Bellarmine’s offense, allowing only nine points in the first half, the third-fewest in program history. The Cardinals’ defensive efforts in the first half were reminiscent of their game against Bellarmine last season when they tied the program record by limiting their opponents to just eight points.
The Cardinals demonstrated exceptional shooting accuracy throughout the game, finishing with a 62.1 percent field goal shooting percentage. This marked their highest shooting percentage since December 2022 when they shot 66.2 percent against SIUE. Louisville also dominated the paint, tallying 62 points, the most since December 2020 when they recorded 74 points against DePaul.
Under Coach Walz, the Cardinals have a formidable record in November, boasting an 89-17 overall record during that month. Over the past seven seasons, they hold an impressive 37-4 record in November games. Additionally, Louisville has been a dominant force against unranked opponents, winning 187 out of their last 196 games. Their success against nonconference foes under Coach Walz is equally impressive, with a record of 177-33. In non-conference play over the past eight years, the Cardinals are an outstanding 79-10.
The Cardinals’ success extends beyond their current season, as they have accumulated 180 wins since the start of the 2017-18 season, ranking fourth in the NCAA in total wins during that period. Their winning percentage of .849 places them fifth in the nation.
Louisville has proven to be nearly invincible on their home court at the KFC Yum! Center over the last 13 seasons. With a record of 194-31, including an impressive 89-7 record over the past six seasons, the Cardinals have made their home venue a fortress.
The Cardinals showcased their defensive prowess, allowing a mere six points in the first quarter and three points in the second quarter. This marked the fourth time this season they held their opponents to single-digit points in a quarter, following 22 instances last season.
The team’s bench also made a significant impact, contributing 50 points in the win. This marked their highest bench scoring output since November 2022 when they recorded 54 bench points against Longwood. Louisville’s performance at the free-throw line was exceptional, shooting 88.5 percent.
On an individual level, the Cardinals’ rising star, freshman Elif Istanbulluoglu, notched her first career double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Her performance made her the first freshman at Louisville to achieve a double-double since Olivia Cochran did so in the 2021 NCAA Tournament. Alexia Mobley had a breakout game, scoring a career-best 12 points with perfect shooting from the field. Sydney Taylor led the team with 15 points, along with four assists and two steals.
Nyla Harris shone brightly, shooting a perfect 5-for-5 from the field, resulting in 14 points and three rebounds. Harris has achieved double-digit scoring in back-to-back games, displaying her offensive consistency. Olivia Cochran showcased her efficiency, tallying 10 points on 5-for-6 shooting in just 13 minutes of play.
Merissah Russell contributed across multiple statistical categories, registering 11 points, four rebounds, four assists (a career-high), two steals, and a block. Nina Rickards continued to demonstrate her playmaking abilities, recording four assists, six points, three rebounds, and a block. Kiki Jefferson and Jayda Curry joined the double-digit scoring club, each contributing 11 points. Eylia Love fell just short of double figures with nine points, in addition to four rebounds, two steals, and one assist.
With this dominant performance, the Louisville Cardinals have solidified their standing as a formidable force in college basketball and continue to build upon their legacy of success.
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