By Derek DeBurger

No. 16 Louisville got a huge non-conference win in their last opportunity against the No. 17 Tennessee Volunteers in the Champions Classic.

Too tight for comfort

The two team started Saturday by trading buckets in an almost cooperative way.

The largest lead of the first quarter by either side was four points for Tennessee, but most shots were immediately answered on the other end.

At the end of the quarter, it was tied 17-17.

Louisville was finally able to create some separation for themselves, jumping out to five-point lead.

But just as soon as it came, the Vols staged an 8-0 run to reclaim the lead for themselves.

Just when Tennessee looked like they’d taken much of the momentum, the Tennessee-native Imari Berry took over.

She played a two-man game with Laura Ziegler as the two of them alone combined for a 12-0 run to give Louisville a 36-27 lead.

But the Cards would score only two more baskets before the break, as Tennessee would claw their way back into the game.

Louisville led 41-36 at the half.

Getting loose

After Tennessee scored the first three points of the quarter, Louisville pushed their lead right back to seven points.

But the a scoring drought of roughly 90 seconds was enough for the Vols to tie it back up at 48-48.

From there the Cards strung together a 15-4 run to end the third. Berry grabbed a steal and an almost-in-time heave to try to push the lead even further before the fourth, but even without the points the added turnover was enough to stick inside Tennessee’s psyche.

With the largest lead thus far, Louisville was up 63-52 going into the final period.

Louisville gave the Vols no breathing room in the fourth, opening the quarter up with an 11-0 run and extending the overall run to 26-4.

From there the game was only technically not over.

Tennessee lost all spark, going through the motions as the two teams shot around until the clock hit zeros.

Louisville won 89-65.

Statement made

With the hiccup against Eastern Kentucky in the rear window, the Cards went right back to showing the massive steps they’ve made in such a short time.

Louisville is actually now responsible for Tennessee’s worst loss of the season, with the runner-up being a true road loss to then-No. 3 UCLA.

Louisville also continued a long tradition of punching above their weight on the glass, outrebounding Tennessee 59 37 in spite of being severely undersized.

Tajianna Roberts actually led the Cards in scoring with 18 points, five assists and five boards.

Berry had an incredible game with 15 points, 13 boards, three assists and four steals.

Louisville did, however, still cough the ball up 20 times, so there are still things for Jeff Walz to improve upon. But for a team that’s already come so far in the early season, that’s an exciting prospect.

Louisville is now 12-3 on the season before the bulk of conference play begins.

Photo Courtesy / Nicole Finch / Louisville Athletics