Louisville dominated Clemson in an 81-64 victory at Littlejohn Coliseum on January 18th. The Cardinals showcased their offensive firepower, shooting an impressive 52.5 percent from the field. This marks their third consecutive game and sixth this season shooting over 50 percent, further solidifying their prowess on the offensive end. Louisville has also achieved this feat in four of their five ACC games this season.
With this win, Louisville remains the only undefeated team in conference play, boasting a perfect 5-0 record. Not only have they been dominant at home, but they have also been exceptional on the road with a 3-0 record in conference play. No other team in the ACC can claim this undefeated road record.
In terms of their historical success, Louisville has been a force in ACC play since the 2014-15 season. They currently hold a remarkable 131-24 record, translating to an impressive .845 winning percentage. The Cardinals stand alone as the only team with a winning percentage of .800 or greater in the ACC over the past decade. Additionally, they have accumulated eight more conference wins than the second-best team during that span.
Louisville’s triumph over Clemson adds to their perfect 6-0 record when scoring 80 points or more. Their dominance against unranked opponents cannot be overlooked, as they have notched an extraordinary 197 wins in their last 207 games. This success equates to an outstanding .850 winning percentage since the start of the 2017-18 season, ranking third in wins and fifth in winning percentage in the NCAA during that time.
The Cardinals have also excelled in true road games, registering a 67-13 record since the beginning of the 2017-18 season. Their performance ranks them third in road wins and fifth in winning percentage (.838) in the NCAA during that span.
Defensively, Louisville showcased their prowess by limiting Clemson to a mere nine points in the third quarter. This stellar defensive effort is not an anomaly, as the Cardinals have held opponents to single-digit quarters on 13 occasions this season. Moreover, they have limited four of their five ACC opponents to at least one single-digit point quarter this season.
Individually, Jayda Curry continued her strong scoring performances, leading the team with 19 points. She shot an efficient 8-for-13 from the field, including 3-for-6 from behind the arc. Curry has emerged as a consistent scorer for the Cardinals, topping double figures for the second consecutive game. Kiki Jefferson also showcased her scoring prowess, tallying 17 points on 6-for-9 shooting. She tied a career-high with eight assists and grabbed four rebounds. Olivia Cochran contributed with 12 points, maintaining her streak of double-digit scoring in 10 consecutive games. Sydney Taylor rounded out the scoring with 11 points, knocking down two three-pointers.
The Louisville Cardinals have once again demonstrated their dominance on both ends of the court, solidifying their status as the team to beat in the ACC. With their offensive firepower and defensive prowess, they are a force to be reckoned with as they continue their quest for a conference title.
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