Louisville just dropped a record-setting 119 points on Bellarmine in their season opener, absolutely blowing them out 119-47 on Monday night. This wasn’t just a win, it was a statement. The No. 7 Cardinals set a new school record for most points in a game, leaving no doubt about their firepower to kick off the season.
Record-Breaking Blitz From the Jump
Coach Jeff Walz had his squad locked in from the opening tip. They raced out to an insane 23-0 lead over their crosstown rival Knights less than halfway through the first quarter. By the time that first quarter buzzer sounded, Louisville was up 44-9. That 44 points? Yeah, that’s another school record, shattering their previous mark of 40 points scored against DePaul back in 2020. They weren’t done there either, hitting halftime with a staggering 72-21 lead. That 72 points is also a new record for most points in a half, beating the 63 they put up against Bellarmine in 2023. Walz wasn’t shy about using his depth either, shuffling 11 players on and off the court throughout the rout.
New Faces and Familiar Firepower Everywhere You Look
Seven different Cardinals hit double figures in what was a truly balanced attack. Tajianna Roberts led the way with 15 points, while Imari Berry added 14. Both of these players earned All-Atlantic Coast Conference preseason honors just last month, and they showed exactly why. Zam Jones, a former North Carolina State guard, had an incredible night with 11 points, a career-high six steals, and tied a career-high with nine assists. Talk about doing it all!
Then there’s the new talent, making immediate impacts. Amiya Joyner, a fifth-year transfer from LSU, dropped 14 points on a perfect 5-for-5 shooting in her Louisville debut. Carys Baker, who was a second-team All-ACC selection last season for Virginia Tech, added 13 points. Freshman Ariyana Cradle and sophomore Grace Mbugua each chipped in 10 points. Seriously, how do you even guard this team when everyone is contributing like that?
Bellarmine Had No Answers, Stetson Is Next
Bellarmine, coached by former Louisville star Monique Reed, just could not get anything going. They shot a dismal 30.2% from the field, connecting on only 16 of 53 shots. The Cardinals’ defense also forced 35 turnovers, with 13 of those coming in the first quarter alone. Hana Abdel Aal and Leigha Acoff were Bellarmine’s top scorers, each putting up nine points in the loss.
Louisville now hosts Stetson on Wednesday. Bellarmine will host Simmons, a Louisville-based NCCAA team, on Thursday. After a performance like this, you have to wonder if Louisville can keep this record-setting pace going. That’s the kind of start that makes the entire league sit up and take notice.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply