In a thrilling ACC opener, the #19 Louisville Cardinals dominated the #RV/23 Miami Hurricanes, coming away with a resounding 77-23 victory. It was a statement win for the Cardinals, who improved to 3-1 this season against ranked opponents.
Louisville once again showcased their dominance in ACC openers, extending their perfect record to 10-0 since joining the league in the 2014-15 season. This marked the third time they have faced a ranked opponent in their ACC opener.
The Cardinals put an end to Miami’s 17-game home winning streak, as the Hurricanes hadn’t lost a home game since December 29, 2022. Louisville’s offensive firepower proved to be too much for Miami, as they allowed a season-high 77 points, despite leading the ACC in points allowed per game heading into the matchup.
The Cardinals’ suffocating defense was the key to their success, forcing 20 turnovers against the Hurricanes. This marked the tenth time this season that Louisville has forced 20 or more turnovers in a game. They also showcased their depth, with five players scoring in double figures. This has been a recurring trend for the Cardinals, as they are now 4-0 when they have five or more players in double figures.
Louisville’s shooting efficiency played a crucial role in their victory, as they shot a stellar 50 percent from the floor. They are now 3-0 this season when shooting 50 percent or better. Head coach Jeff Walz has an impressive record in the month of December, with the Cardinals boasting a 98-16 all-time record in December under his guidance.
In terms of their ACC dominance, Louisville stands out as the only program with a winning percentage of .800 or greater in ACC play over the last 10 seasons. They have accumulated an impressive 127-24 record in ACC play since the 2014-15 season, eight more conference wins than the second-best team during that span.
Looking at individual performances, Kiki Jefferson reached a significant milestone, surpassing 2,000 points for her career. She finished the game with 12 points, six rebounds, and two assists. Jayda Curry also made her mark, surpassing 1,000 points for her career. She led the team with a season-high 19 points, shooting 7-for-12 from the field and a perfect 2-for-2 from beyond the arc. Curry dominated the third quarter, scoring 11 of her 19 points.
Nyla Harris recorded her second double-double of the season, tallying 13 points and tying a career high with 12 rebounds. She shares the team lead for double-doubles with Olivia Cochran. Merissah Russell had a standout performance as well, scoring a season-high 12 points and going 3-for-3 from the floor and from three. She single-handedly scored 11 straight points for the Cardinals in the fourth quarter, tying a career high with three three-pointers made.
Olivia Cochran continued her impressive stretch of games, reaching double figures for the sixth consecutive game with 11 points and contributing seven rebounds. Nina Rickards facilitated the offense effectively, leading the team with four assists to go along with four points and four rebounds.
With this commanding victory, the #19 Louisville Cardinals have firmly established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the ACC. They will look to build on this momentum as they continue their quest for conference supremacy.
