University of Louisville
2-0,0-0ACC
DePaul
2-1,0-0Big East
Cardinals Down DePaul 81-74 in Home Opener
November 12, 2023 | Women's Basketball
Olivia Cochran tallies career-high 21 points
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The No. 17/15 University of Louisville women's basketball team earned an 81-74 win over DePaul in their home opener on Sunday afternoon inside the KFC Yum! Center.
The Cardinals were led by Olivia Cochran's career-high 21 points and five rebounds, as she shot 9-of-14 from the field. Eylia Love and Nyla Harris joined her in double figures, as the former recorded 16 points and the latter tallied 13 points and a team-high 11 rebounds. It was Harris' first career double double in the win. Nina Rickards provided a nice spark off the bench, totaling eight points, seven rebounds, and three assists as she was a team-high +25 in +/- on the afternoon.
DePaul began the game firing on all cylinders, taking a 24-11 lead midway through the quarter as the Blue Demons hit 10 of their first 12 shots. The Cardinals turned the tide in the back half of the period, finishing on an 18-5 run to tie the game at 29 after one, with Cochran scoring eight first quarter points.
The second quarter was a change of pace from the 58-point first, with the two teams combining for just 22 points. Louisville rode their momentum into an 11-3 run to begin the quarter, taking a 40-32 lead and totaling their overall run at 29-8. The Blue Demons fought within four going into halftime, as the Cards led 42-38.
Louisville maintained a steady lead early in the third frame, leading 52-47 after a Merissah Russell fast-break layup, but DePaul reeled off a 6-0 burst to go out in front at 53-52. The Cardinals had an answer, finishing the period on an 11-5 run to go into the final frame with a 63-58 lead. Love impressed with seven points while shooting 4-of-4 from the line in the quarter.
Cochran scored seven of the first nine Cardinal points in the fourth quarter as Louisville extended their lead to 72-62 going into a DePaul timeout. The Blue Demons came within eight at 76-68, but the Cardinals iced the game with 10 made free throws in the fourth quarter to close out the win.
The Cardinals will remain home as they are in the middle of a three-game homestand. They will host in-town foe Bellarmine this Thursday at the KFC Yum! Center. The Cardinals and Knights will square off at 7 p.m. ET and the game will be streamed on the ACC Network Extra.
