Louisville Womens Basketball

Since the start of the 2017-18 season, Louisville has been on fire with 195 wins and an impressive .848 winning percentage. These numbers rank third and sixth in the NCAA during that span. The team’s defensive prowess was on full display against Pitt, as they extended their winning streak to 43 games when allowing 59 points or less. In fact, over the past nine seasons, the Cardinals have an outstanding record of 150-4 when limiting their opponents to 59 points or less.

In a balanced scoring attack, all 11 players on the Louisville roster contributed points in the win, marking the third time this season that this feat has been achieved. Leading the way for the Cardinals was Jayda Curry, who tallied a team-high 15 points on efficient shooting from the field and beyond the arc. Curry has been in excellent form during the month of January, scoring in double figures in four out of her last five games.

The first meeting between Louisville and Pitt this season ended in a 74-44 victory for the Cardinals. Although the final score was lopsided, the game remained competitive for much of the matchup. Louisville only held a four-point lead before hitting a buzzer-beater to close the first half with a seven-point advantage. In the third quarter, the Cardinals pulled away, eventually outscoring the Panthers 26-6 in the final quarter.

The Cardinals’ offensive firepower was on full display, scoring the most points against an ACC opponent since February 6, 2022. Their shooting percentage was equally impressive, marking the best shooting display against an ACC opponent since February 27, 2022.

Elif Istanbulluoglu also had a breakout game, recording a career-high 11 points and four rebounds on an efficient 5-for-8 shooting. Olivia Cochran contributed with 10 points, seven rebounds, an assist, and a block. Nina Rickards and Nyla Harris showcased their versatility, making meaningful contributions in multiple areas of the game.

Head coach Jeff Walz has a history of quickly bouncing back after a loss. The team has a record of 87-24 under Walz following a loss, and they have an even better record of 21-3 following a loss against ACC opponents. The Cardinals have only lost two-straight ACC games three times in the past 10 seasons.

Jefferson, a transfer from James Madison, has emerged as one of the Cardinals’ key scoring options this season. She currently leads the team in scoring, averaging 12.2 points per game. Additionally, she ranks second on the team in assists (2.5) and steals (1.3) per game, as well as third in rebounding (4.1) per game. Jefferson has shown great efficiency as a scorer, shooting over 50 percent from the field in 12 games this season. She has also been exceptional from the free-throw line, boasting an impressive 89.7 percent shooting percentage.

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.

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.

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.