Van Lith Lifts Cardinals Past Orange, 86-77

Thursday, December 29

LOUISVILLE, KY

7 PM

University of Louisville

11-4,2-0ACC

Syracuse

10-3,1-1ACC

Syracuse

Louisville

December 29, 2022 | Women's Basketball

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The junior had a team-high 24 points and six assists to go with five boards

By: Justice Steiner

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The RV/RV University of Louisville women's basketball team defeated Syracuse 86-77 Thursday evening at the KFC Yum! Center. The Cardinals (11-4, 2-0) move their winning streak to six while shooting over 50 percent from the field for the third-consecutive game.

Hailey Van Lith led the Cardinals with 24 points, six assists, and five rebounds in the victory. Morgan Jones and Olivia Cochran added 15 points and seven rebounds apiece, while Chrislyn Carr registered 12 points, knocking down four three-pointers. Nyla Harris chipped in with eight points and a career-high 10 rebounds. Louisville shot 52 percent from the field and 41 percent from three-point range.

Teisha Hyman led the Orange (10-3, 1-1) with 27 points, four assists, and two rebounds. Dyaisha Fair totaled 13 points and five assists, while Dariauna Lewis had a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Syracuse shot 38 percent from the field and 33 percent from beyond the arc.

Fair, who was the third-leading scorer in the ACC heading into the game, was held to a season-low field goal percentage, 17 percent, shooting 3 of 18 from the field.

It was a game of runs to start the contest. After falling behind 0-5, the Cardinals went on an 8-0 run to gain an 8-5 advantage early in the first quarter. Syracuse answered with a 12-2 run to take a 17-10 lead with 3:53 remaining in the first quarter. The seven-point lead would mark the largest for the Cuse throughout the entire contest. Louisville responded in the final minutes of the quarter and Van Lith hit a midrange jumper with 27 seconds remaining to knot the game at 21 apiece.

Van Lith then fueled a 10-3 run to begin the second quarter, scoring five points and adding an assist during that span. However, Syracuse chipped away at the UofL lead, cutting it to two with 3:02 remaining in the half. The Cardinals were able to expand their lead to six heading into the break, holding a 42-36 advantage.

Louisville took control of the game to start the second half, outscoring the Orange 13-1 to begin the third quarter, holding a 55-37 lead. Syracuse pulled within 12, but Jones scored eight points over the final four minutes of the quarter to help the Cards to a 69-55 cushion heading into the fourth quarter.

The Cardinals then took their largest lead of the contest with 8:59 remaining in the final quarter of play as Merissah Russell hit a shot from beyond the arc to gain an 18-point advantage, 73-55. Syracuse went on to score the final eight points of the game, but it would not be enough as Louisville secured the nine-point victory.

The Cardinals are back on the road to kick off the new year as they head to Durham, North Carolina. Louisville is set to square off with Duke on Sunday, January 1, at noon from Cameron Indoor Stadium. The game will be broadcast on RSN so fans should check their local listings for where to find the broadcast of the game.