University of Louisville
Kentucky
Women's Basketball Heads to In-State Rival No. 8 Kentucky on Thursday
December 09, 2015 | Women's Basketball
The Cardinals and Wildcats are playing in Rupp Arena on the SEC Network at 7 p.m.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The University of Louisville women's basketball team is taking on its second top-25 opponent in a week, when the Cardinals play at instate rival and No. 8 Kentucky on Thursday night in Rupp Arena.
The contest will tip at 7:01 p.m. ET and air on the SEC Network, with Brenda VanLengen (play-by-play), Carolyn Peck (analyst), and Steffi Sorensen (sideline) on the call. The radio broadcast will be available on WKRD 790 AM in Louisville, with Matt Andrews (play-by-play) and Adrienne Johnson (analyst) calling the action.
The Cardinals have recorded consecutive wins heading into the Dec. 10 contest, beating No. 19 Michigan State on the road on Dec. 3 and then returning to the KFC Yum! Center for the second time this season to defeat Valparaiso on Sunday.
Mariya Moore produced 16.0 points and 4.5 assists over the two-game stretch that helped Louisville improve to 3-4, with Asia Durr (15.0), Myisha Hines-Allen (12.0), and Cortnee Walton (10.0) averaging double figures in points. Walton led the team in that span at 7.5 rebounds per game.
Last time out, Louisville jumped out to a 32-19 halftime lead and rolled to a 75-42 victory against Valparaiso. Hines-Allen and Moore each had 12 points, and Durr, Erin DeGrate, Sam Fuehring scored 10 apiece off the bench. Walton grabbed a game-high 11 boards, her second time this season collecting double-digits rebounds.
Defensively, Louisville forced 22 Valparaiso turnovers a game after forcing then-No. 19 Michigan State into 27.
For the season, Moore is pacing the Cardinals in scoring (15.4) and ranks second on the team in assists (25) and steals (15). Jackson, who has a team-high 20 thefts, is second in scoring (13.4), and Hines-Allen boasts a team-best 7.1 rebounding average.
Kentucky, which has been idle since Dec. 2, has won all seven of its games this season, including a win over No. 15 Arizona State on Nov. 15.
Last time out, Kentucky (7-0) overcame a four-point deficit at the half to beat Northern Kentucky 84-65. The Wildcats outscored the Norse 24-11 in the third quarter and 23-13 in the fourth.
Collectively, Kentucky shot 55.2 percent for the game - 62.1 percent in the second half - and knocked down 15 of 20 free throws. The Wildcats also earned a 37-26 advantage on the glass and outscored Northern Kentucky 42-16 in the paint. Janee Thompson finished with a game-high 21 points on 6-of-9 shooting, Makayla Epps had 16 points, and Evelyn Akhator added 13 points. Thompson was credited with seven assists in the victory.
Nationally, the Wildcats rank in the top 10 statistically in multiple categories: No. 4 in scoring offense (86.1) and defensive rebounds per game (32.0), No. 6 in 3-point field goal percentage (41.5) and assists per game (20.9), No. 7 in field goal percentage defense (32.0), and No. 8 in field goal percentage (49.1).
For the latest information on Louisville women's basketball, log on to GoCards.com, or, for up-to-the-minute updates, follow the team's Twitter account at www.twitter.com/UofLWBB or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/UofLWBB.
SERIES HISTORY – Louisville vs. Kentucky
Kentucky leads the all-time series 33-17, having won the last four meetings.
The Cardinals' last win in Lexington over the Wildcats came in 2007, when Louisville posted an 80-65 victory on Dec. 20. Angel McCoughtry had a game-high 23 points for the Cardinals, who outrebounded the Wildcats 51-37 and led by 23 (47-24) at the half.
The two programs met last year in the KFC Yum! Center, and Kentucky posted a 77-68 win. Louisville held a 13-point advantage at the half, but Kentucky used a 48-26 advantage in the second for the win. Myisha Hines-Allen had team highs of 17 points and nine rebounds, and Mariya Moore contributed 14 points and six boards.
GAME FACTS – Louisville at Kentucky
Date: Thursday, Dec. 10
Time: 7:01 p.m. ET
Site: Rupp Arena (23,000), Lexington, Ky.
TV: SEC Network will broadcast the game, with Brendan VanLengen (play-by-play), Carolyn Peck (analyst), and Steffi Sorensen (sideline) calling the action.
Radio: WKRD 790 AM will broadcast the game, with Matt Andrews (play-by-play) and Adrienne Johnson (analyst) calling the action.
Series History: Kentucky leads the all-time series 33-17 (11-12 in Louisville, 19-4 in Lexington, 3-1 neutral). Kentucky defeated Louisville 77-68 on Dec. 7, 2014, the KFC Yum! Center.
Next UofL Game: Sunday, Dec. 13 vs. IUPUI, KFC Yum! Center/Crum Court, Louisville, Ky., 2 p.m. ET (CardsTV)
