By Derek DeBurger
No. 18 Louisville takes down the Pittsburgh Panthers to sweep the season series.
Like the first matchup, the Panthers were able to stick around early in the game despite the clear talent differential. Pitt made two quick buckets to take a 4-0 lead. Head coach Jeff Walz went to his bench for a spark, and Jayda Curry provided. Curry scored seven points in her short time in the first quarter, holding the Panthers scoreless for the rest of the quarter to take a 10-point lead.
Despite a lot more fight from the Panthers throughout the second, Curry didn’t let up. She had five more points in the second and remained perfect, yet to miss a shot. Pitt was, however, able to cut into the lead due to the presence of Liatu King. King didn’t record too many noticeable stats, but the threat of her taking over the game couldn’t be ignored by the Cards who had to pay extra attention to her—something they didn’t have to do in the first matchup due to her foul trouble.
Louisville led at the half 36-29.
Louisville came out in the third quarter prepared and hit a couple of quick shots to push the lead back to double-digits, but virtually every punch thrown Pitt had a response for. Even though Louisville was constantly forcing mini-scoring droughts, they couldn’t help but fall into their own. A late push that extended the lead to as high as 16 held going into the fourth.
The Cardinals held Pitt scoreless until the fourth minute of the fourth quarter. The whole time the defense was shutting down the Panthers, the Cards were able to spread the ball around to whoever was on the court for made look after made look.
Louisville would win 77-58.
Louisville flexed their depth with the reliance on the bench, in particular Curry. She was the Cards leading scorer with 15 points. Outside of Curry, all 11 players to see the court scored points, and seven scored 5+ points. It’s good to have a go-to scorer, but Louisville continues to prove that they have elite depth.
Louisville advances to 18-3 on the season, 7-1 in the ACC, and back in sole possession of first place in the conference.
Photo Courtesy // Clare Grant, The Courier-Journal
