by LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The University of Louisville women’s basketball team continues its five-game homestand on Thursday, facing Belmont in a nonconference matchup in the KFC Yum! Center at 7 p.m.
The Nov. 20 contest will be broadcast on WKRD 790 AM in Louisville, with Matt Andrews (play-by-play) and Adrienne Johnson (analyst) on the call. Fans can watch the game through CardsTV, either through GoCards.com or the GoCards.com GameDay Live mobile application.
No. 12/10 Louisville has started the season with consecutive victories, beating IUPUI 89-69 on the road on Nov. 14 before returning home and posting a 77-43 win over UT-Martin. It is the third-consecutive season the Cardinals started the year with back-to-back wins.
Through two contests, freshman Mariya Moore leads Louisville in scoring (17.0 points per game) and is averaging 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 steals. Senior Bria Smith and freshman Myisha Hines-Allen also are averaging double-digit points, tallying 14.5 and 12.5 points per game, respectively. Senior Sara Hammond ranks first on the team with 7.5 boards per game.
Defensively, the Cardinals have totaled 27 steals, led by Jude Schimmel’s nine. Louisville is holding its opponents to just 35.4 percent from the field, while forcing 49 turnovers.
Belmont enters Thursday with an 0-2 record, falling to Vanderbilt in the season-opener and then dropping a 72-69 decision on Sunday to North Alabama.
Jordyn Luffman-Hartsfield is one of three Bruins in double digits in scoring, producing 15.5 points per game. Frankie Joubran (12.5 points and 11.5 rebounds) and Sally McCabe (12.0 points and 10.0 rebounds) each tallied double-doubles against North Alabama and are averaging a double-double.
The Bruins are under the direction of former UofL assistant and second-year coach Cameron Newbauer, who owns a 14-20 record in his tenure. The team returns all five starters, led by 2014 all-OVC first-team selection Luffman-Hartsfield. She averaged 14.3 points and 7.2 rebounds last year for a team that finished 14-18, reached the OVC Tournament championship game, and earned a bid to the WNIT.
Newbauer spent one year on the Cardinals’ staff, helping the program reach the NCAA championship game in 2012-13.
THE SERIES – Belmont vs. Louisville
The Cardinals boast a 1-0 all-time record against the Bruins after posting an 80-51 victory in Freedom Hall on Dec. 16, 2006. Chauntise Wright came off the bench and totaled 21 points and seven rebounds in 14 minutes. Angel McCoughtry registered five of the team’s 14 steals and helped UofL force 23 Belmont turnovers. Shaunda Strayhorn had a team-high 12 points to pace Belmont, which shot just 30 percent (18 of 60) from the field.
GAME FACTS – Belmont at Louisville
Date: Thursday, Nov. 20
Time: 7:05 p.m. ET
Site: KFC Yum! Center/Crum Court (22,000), Louisville, Ky.
Video: The game will be available on CardsTV through GoCards.com.
Radio: WKRD 790 AM will broadcast the game, with Matt Andrews (play-by-play) and Adrienne Johnson (analyst) calling the action.
Series History: UofL leads the all-time series 1-0 (1-0 in Louisville). Louisville defeated Belmont 80-51 on Dec. 16, 2006, in Freedom Hall.
Next UofL Game: Sunday, Nov. 23 vs. Ball State in KFC Yum! Center, 2 p.m. ET
