No. 15 Cardinals Continue Undefeated ACC Start With 83-62 Win over Wake Forest

Sunday, January 14

LOUISVILLE, KY

2 PM

University of Louisville

15-2,4-0ACC

Wake Forest

4-13,0-5ACC

Wake Forest

Louisville

No. 15 Cardinals Continue Undefeated ACC Start With 83-62 Win over Wake Forest

January 14, 2024 | Women's Basketball

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Louisville had six players with double-digit points

By: Trey Curry

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The 15th-ranked Louisville women's basketball team (15-2, 4-0 ACC) continued their undefeated start to conference play with an 83-62 win over Wake Forest (4-13, 0-5 ACC) Sunday afternoon inside the KFC Yum! Center. The Cardinals had six double-digit scorers in the game, their second time this year with six or more in double-digits, and made 31-of-56 field goals (55.4%) and a season-best 7-of-11 (63.6%) three-pointers.

Jayda Curry and Olivia Cochran led the way with 12 points each, with the former adding two rebounds, one assist, and two steals while shooting 5-for-6 from the field and the latter tallying three rebounds, a season-best four assists, and a steal while making all six of her attempts from the charity stripe. Sydney Taylor (11), Kiki Jefferson (10), Nyla Harris (10), and Merissah Russell (10) all joined them in double figures, as Russell also tied the team-high for rebounds with five. Nina Rickards tied a season high with a team-best five assists along with three points, two rebounds, and two steals.

The Cardinals got off to another fast start, beginning the game on a 12-5 run from the opening tip while causing multiple Wake Forest turnovers with early pressure. The Demon Deacons slowly chipped into the lead using their own full-court pressure, coming within one at 20-19 going into the second period. Both teams forced five turnovers in the first quarter.

After both teams traded two points each to start the second period, the Cardinals reeled off an 8-0 run, featuring two Russell three-pointers, to extend their lead to 30-21. Wake Forest briefly halted the momentum with a layup, but the Cards followed that with a 16-2 run, totaling their run at 24-4 and giving Louisville a 46-27 lead at the half. The Cardinals held the Demon Deacons to 3-for-11 shooting in the frame while forcing seven turnovers.

It was a competitive third quarter, as Wake Forest was winning the period 14-13 before the Cardinals closed on a 7-0 run, with Curry hitting a near half-court shot to send Louisville into the fourth with a 66-41 advantage.

The final period was much of the same, with both teams trading buckets throughout. Elif Istanbulluoglu impressed with five points and three rebounds while Alexia Mobley had two points and four rebounds in the frame, helping finalize the 83-62 win for the Cards.

The Cardinals will get ready to head back out on the road next week for a two-game road swing. Louisville's next contest will be in Clemson, S.C. as they take on the Clemson Tigers on Thursday, January 18. The Cardinals and Tigers will square off at 7 p.m. ET from Littlejohn Coliseum and it will be streamed on the ACC Network Extra.