by LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The University of Louisville women’s basketball team returns home for the first time in nearly two weeks, playing host to NC State on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the KFC Yum! Center.
The contest will air on ESPN3, with Don Russell (play-by-play) and Sara White (analyst) on the call. The radio broadcast will be available on WKRD 790 AM in Louisville, with Matt Andrews (play-by-play) and Adrienne Johnson (analyst) calling the action.
Louisville (15-1, 3-0 ACC) earned its seventh-straight win and second-consecutive comeback victory in as many games. After trailing by as many as 12 points in the second half, Louisville surged down the stretch to compile 8-0 and 10-0 runs coupled with a 3:48 stretch in which it held Wake Forest scoreless. UofL’s 14 points in the final six minutes sealed a 79-68 victory and helped Louisville remain as one of two unbeaten teams atop the conference.
Myisha Hines-Allen produced her first career double-double, tallying 20 points and 10 rebounds. Both she and Mariya Moore helped key the comeback. Hines-Allen had 14 points and seven boards in the final period, and Moore netted 11 points. Collectively, the Cardinals tallied 11 of their 14 steals in the second period.
Behind the win, Louisville moved into fourth in both the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches’ polls – Louisville’s second-highest AP ranking in school history. The Cardinals, who have been in the AP top 25 for 69-straight weeks, reached No. 3 for a four-week stretch last year.
For the season, Moore leads the Cardinals in scoring (13.8) and has a team-best 58 assists. Hines-Allen is averaging 12.7 points, while Bria Smith (10.9) and Sara Hammond (10.4) are each scoring in double figures. Jude Schimmel ranks first on the team, with 39 steals.
The Wolfpack (11-5, 2-1) have won their last two ACC contests, posting a 73-59 decision over Virginia Tech on Jan. 8 and then cruising to a 76-50 victory over Clemson on Jan. 10.
Miah Spencer scored a game-high 25 points on 8-of-12 shooting in the win over Clemson. She added eight rebounds and seven assists. Carlee Schuhmacher poured in 18 points and seven boards, while Dominique Wilson added 10 points. Jennifer Mathurin came off the bench and totaled seven points and 10 rebounds. Collectively, the Wolfpack knocked down 10 3-pointers and held a 45-34 edge on the boards.
Through 16 games, Spencer is leading NC State with 14.5 points to go with 4.9 rebounds and is shooting 47 percent from the field. Wilson is the only other double-figure scorer, averaging 14.1 points along with 1.8 steals. Collectively, the Wolfpack are scoring 71.0 points per game behind 41-percent shooting and turn the ball over just 14.2 times per game.
The Wolfpack are under the direction of second-year coach Wes Moore, who has a 36-13 record with the program. NC State was picked to finish ninth in the ACC Preseason Media Poll after going 25-8 last year and reaching the NCAA Tournament first round.
GAME FACTS – NC State at Louisville
Date: Wednesday, Jan. 14
Time: 7:02 p.m. ET
Site: KFC Yum! Center/Crum Court (22,000), Louisville, Ky.
TV: ESPN3 will broadcast the game, with Don Russell (play-by-play) and Sara White (analyst) calling the action.
Radio: WKRD 790 AM will broadcast the game, with Matt Andrews (play-by-play) and Adrienne Johnson (analyst) calling the action.
Series History: NC State leads 2-0 (1-0 in Raleigh, 1-0 neutral).
Last Meeting: NC State defeated Louisville 54-49 in the Paradise Jam championship on Nov. 27, 2004, in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
Next UofL Game: Sunday, Jan. 18 vs. Virginia, KFC Yum! Center, Louisville, Ky., 3 p.m. ET (RSN/FOX)
