Cardinals defeat Wildcats 73-61

Louisville, Ky. — In a highly anticipated matchup, the No. 18 Louisville women’s basketball team emerged victorious with a 73-61 win over their rival, Kentucky. This win marks the seventh consecutive victory for the Cardinals in the series.

The game began with a tight first half, featuring five lead changes and six ties. Going into the second half, Louisville held a narrow one-point lead. However, in the third quarter, Kentucky briefly took the lead by three points. The Cardinals, though, quickly responded with a late 14-2 run, giving them a comfortable nine-point lead.

The second half proved to be a turning point for Louisville, shooting an impressive 53% (17-for-32) from the field, a vast improvement from their 37% (10-for-27) shooting in the first half. Holding on to their lead throughout the entirety of the fourth quarter, the Cardinals remained in control, preventing any chance of a Wildcats comeback.

Five players from Louisville reached double-figure scoring, highlighting their well-rounded offensive performance. Senior Eylia Love led the charge with 14 points, shooting an impressive 6-for-8 from the field. Love was also active on the defensive end, pulling down five rebounds and tallying two steals.

Senior Olivia Cochran played a pivotal role for the Cardinals, contributing 10 points and reaching the milestone of 1,000 career points with a free throw in the second quarter. Cochran also tied for the team-high with eight rebounds, helping Louisville dominate the Wildcats with a 45-23 rebound advantage.

Sophomore Nyla Harris had an impressive outing, tallying 13 points, eight rebounds, and a career-high three steals. Graduate student Kiki Jefferson continued her scoring streak with 11 points, marking her fifth consecutive double-figure scoring game. Jefferson also contributed seven rebounds in her 17 minutes of playing time.

Looking ahead, the Cardinals are poised to close out their three-game homestand in a doubleheader at the KFC Yum! Center. They will take on in-state foe Morehead State on Wednesday, December 13 at 4 p.m. ET. This contest will be streamed on the ACC Network Extra, providing fans with an opportunity to witness Louisville’s continued success on the court.