In an impressive display of shooting prowess, the No. 13/12 Louisville women’s basketball team secured a decisive 81-64 victory over Clemson at Littlejohn Coliseum. Louisville’s scorching first-half shooting, at an impressive 62.1 percent, gave them a comfortable 15-point lead that they never relinquished. With this win, the Cardinals remain undefeated in ACC play at 5-0 and maintain a perfect 3-0 record on the road in conference play.
Kiki Jefferson delivered a stellar performance for the Cardinals, contributing 17 points, shooting 6-for-9 from the field and 2-for-3 from beyond the arc. Jefferson also tied her career-high with eight assists and added four rebounds. Jayda Curry, who led the team in scoring for the second consecutive game, tied her season-high with 19 points on 8-for-13 shooting and converted 3 of 6 attempts from long range. Sydney Taylor recorded 11 points and led the team with a season-high eight rebounds. Olivia Cochran maintained her impressive streak of ten straight double-figure games with 12 points, six rebounds, and two assists.
As a team, Louisville shot a commendable 52.5 percent (31-for-59) from the floor, marking their third consecutive game shooting 50 percent or better. Moreover, the Cardinals have achieved the feat of shooting 50 percent or higher in four of their five ACC games this season. Notably, after her career-best 37-point performance against Syracuse, the Cardinals successfully contained Clemson’s Amari Robinson, limiting her to just 10 points, her lowest scoring output in her last five games.
The Cardinals wasted no time heating up on the offensive end, hitting four of their first five shots in the opening quarter. Their hot shooting continued throughout the entire quarter, as they shot 69.2 percent (9-for-13) from the field and 60.0 percent (3-for-5) from three-point range. Louisville’s strong defensive efforts resulted in six turnovers for Clemson, allowing them to establish a comfortable 26-13 lead after the first 10 minutes of play.
Although their shooting cooled down slightly in the second quarter, it did not impede the Cardinals’ lead. The team’s defensive tenacity continued to limit Clemson’s opportunities, enabling them to maintain control. Louisville finished the quarter strong, hitting four of their last five shots, including a buzzer-beating floater from Curry, extending their lead to 47-32 at halftime.
Curry dominated the first half, leading the Cardinals with 14 points on an efficient 6-for-7 shooting, including 2-for-3 from beyond the arc. Jefferson also made significant contributions with 10 points, and she led the team with six assists and three rebounds. As a unit, Louisville shot an astounding 62.1 percent (18-for-29) in the first half and recorded 11 assists on their 18 made baskets.
The Cardinals maintained their offensive intensity as they started the third quarter. They embarked on a 7-0 run, pushing their lead to the largest of the game at 58-37, compelling Clemson to call a timeout. Louisville continued to dominate throughout the quarter, outscoring the Tigers 19-9 and entering the final quarter with a commanding 66-41 lead.
With victory within reach, the Cardinals emptied their bench in the fourth quarter, solidifying their 16th win of the season and preserving their undefeated record in ACC play.
Louisville will conclude their two-game road week with a Sunday matinee against No. 23/24 North Carolina in Chapel Hill. This anticipated matchup between the Cardinals and the Tar Heels is scheduled to tip-off at 2 p.m. ET from Carmichael Arena, and the game will be nationally broadcast on the ACC Network.
