#19 Louisville Downs #23 Washington 59-51

Mark BlankenbakerDecember 21, 2023

The No. 19 Louisville women’s basketball team (11-2) picked up their second ranked win of the season with a 59-51 triumph over No. 23 Washington (11-1) Wednesday night inside the KFC Yum! Center.

Olivia Cochran led the effort with 14 points and seven rebounds, shooting 5-8 from the field and 4-4 from the free throw line, and Nyla Harris joined her in double digits with 11 points and four rebounds. Kiki Jefferson and Sydney Taylor totaled eight points each, with the former adding eight rebounds and two steals and the latter adding five rebounds and two assists.

After the Huskies scored the night’s first points, Louisville went on a 10-0 run while forcing multiple opposing turnovers, taking an early 10-2 lead heading into a Washington timeout. Coming out, the Huskies followed with an 8-0 run, tying the game at 10, and both teams would close the quarter out with a three-pointer each to head into the second frame at 13-13.

The offense picked up in the second period as Washington earned a 24-21 lead on back-to-back three-pointers midway through. The Cardinals responded by finishing the quarter on a 10-2 run with Taylor scoring six of those final points, taking a 31-26 lead into halftime.

Louisville began the third period with a 5-0 run that extended their lead to 36-26. Later, a Harris layup and a Merissah Russell turnaround jumper gave the Cardinals a 40-29 lead heading into the media timeout. The break in action couldn’t stop Harris, as she scored consecutive buckets to build the Louisville lead to 44-32, but Washington would close the frame on a 6-0 run to come within six at 44-38.

The Huskies totaled their run at 8-0 by scoring the first two points of the final period, but the Cardinals responded yet again as Louisville reeled off a 9-2 run, capped off by another Harris layup, to take a commanding 53-42 lead that would not be relinquished. The Cards closed out the 59-51 win, moving their undefeated home record to 7-0 this season.

The Cardinals will go their separate ways for the upcoming holiday break. When they return to campus after Christmas, the Cardinals will prepare for the start of ACC play. Louisville hits the road to open conference play and will face Miami on December 31. The Hurricanes and Cardinals will square off at 4 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcast nationally on the ACC Network.