Louisville Downs Morehead State, 74-48

Mark BlankenbakerDecember 14, 2023

The No. 18/17 Louisville women’s basketball team (10-1) defeated Morehead State (4-6), 74-48, Wednesday afternoon inside the KFC Yum! Center.

The Cardinals move to 10-1 this season, as all eleven Cardinals scored for just the second time thus far, with the first being against Bellarmine on November 16. Louisville also tallied their season-low turnovers in 10 against the Eagles.

Olivia Cochran led the way with 16 points and 11 rebounds, her second double-double on the year. Nyla Harris joined her with 16 points to go along with nine rebounds, and Kiki Jefferson rounded out the double-digit scorers with 12 points, four rebounds, and two assists. It was the sixth-straight game Jefferson has scored in double figures and she leads the team in scoring with 12.1 points per game.

It was a slow start offensively, with the game being tied 4-4 after the first four minutes of play, but both teams soon settled in as Cochran’s six first-quarter points helped the Cards to a 16-14 lead after one.

The Cards took off in the second frame by winning the period 25-8, including a 13-0 run that saw Louisville hold the Eagles from scoring for over seven minutes of game time. Harris recorded 10 points and three rebounds in the period as the Cardinals led 41-22 at the half. It was the ninth time this season Louisville has held their opponent to single-digit points in a quarter.

Louisville maintained a steady lead throughout the second half before a 9-0 run late in the final frame extended the Cards lead to 70-42. Merissah Russell’s five fourth-quarter points helped finish off Louisville’s sixth home win.

The Cardinals are heading out for just their third road game of the season this weekend against an old conference foe. Louisville is traveling to Hartford to take on No. 17/18 UConn on Saturday, December 16 from the XL Center. It will be the first meeting between the two teams since 2021 and it will start at 12 p.m. ET and air nationally on FOX.

…