Cardinals to Take on Clemson in Road Matchup

The No. 13/12 Louisville women’s basketball team is gearing up for two road games this week, starting with a matchup against the Clemson Tigers on Thursday, January 16. The Cardinals have been red hot in ACC play, boasting a perfect 4-0 record. Louisville is coming off an impressive week, securing a 77-44 victory over Pitt and an 83-62 win against Wake Forest.

What sets the Cardinals apart is their balanced scoring, with seven players contributing eight points or more in each of their last two wins. In fact, this has occurred three times this season. The team’s depth is a strength, with 10 different players contributing points in their last game against Wake Forest. Louisville has seven players who average six points or more per game.

Leading the charge for the Cardinals is Kiki Jefferson, who is averaging 12.2 points per game this season. Jefferson has been a consistent scorer, reaching double figures in 11 of her last 12 games. She is also one of the nation’s best free throw shooters, boasting a 91.9 percent success rate from the line, which leads the ACC and ranks seventh in the country. Jefferson’s efficiency extends beyond free throws, as she has shot 50 percent or better from the field in 11 of the team’s 17 games this season.

Olivia Cochran has also emerged as a key scorer for Louisville, averaging 11.8 points per game. Cochran has reached double figures in each of her last nine games and leads the team with 13 double-figure scoring performances. Her well-rounded game was on display in the win over Wake Forest, where she not only scored but also dished out a season-high four assists.

The Cardinals will face off against the Clemson Tigers on Thursday, January 18, at 7 p.m. ET. The game will take place at Littlejohn Coliseum and will be streamed on the ACC Network Extra. Louisville has historically had the upper hand in this matchup, holding an 11-3 overall series lead against Clemson. In fact, the Cardinals are a perfect 11-0 against the Tigers since they joined the ACC in 2014-15.

In their last meeting, which took place on February 12, 2023, Louisville dominated with an 81-69 victory. The Cardinals raced out to a commanding 29-point halftime lead, thanks to 10 three-pointers and 16 assists on 19 made baskets. Mykasa Robinson, who has been a key contributor since being added to the starting lineup, played a stellar game with 10 points, nine assists, five rebounds, two steals, and a block. Olivia Cochran led the team on the boards with 12 rebounds, and Norika Konno had a breakout game, setting career highs with 12 points and four three-pointers.

Clemson comes into this matchup with an 8-9 overall record and a 1-4 mark in ACC play. The Tigers had a mixed performance in the Van and Betty Chancellor Classic, finishing with a 1-2 record. They do pose a threat as a strong shooting team, ranked 44th nationally with a 45.4 percent shooting average. However, Louisville has been even more efficient, ranking 30th nationally with a 45.9 percent shooting average.

Fans can follow all the action of Louisville women’s basketball on social media, including the team’s Instagram account at @LouisvilleWBB, X account at @LouisvilleWBB, or on Facebook at facebook.com/louisvillewbb.