Evansville Purple Aces at Louisville Cardinals

No. 8 Louisville women beat Evansville 89-47

Kylee Shook had career bests 18 points and 10 rebounds, and the Cardinals held Evansville to a season-low 24 percent shooting in an 89-47 rout on Sunday.

Louisville (11-2) has won five in a row and the past three by an average margin of 41 points. Defense again helped the Cardinals as they held the Purple Aces to 13 of 55 from the field, the third straight game an opponent has shot below 30 percent.

"I think we did really well on our zone defense," said junior forward Mariya Moore, who added 12 points. "Man-to-man (defense) comes out of pride and zone defense comes from talking, making sure you are in position and doing your job. I think we did a really good job all around on defense."

Shook, a 6-foot-4 forward, already reached her career bests in points (13) and rebounds (eight) by halftime before additional contributions helped Louisville keep well ahead and earn her first double-double. Her four blocks matched a season best.

Shook's effort follows Louisville's recent trend in which newcomers such as guards Sydney Zambrotta and Jazmine Jones (8 rebounds, 6 points) have achieved career highs with double-digit scoring.

"Coach (Jeff Walz) has been working with me in practice, so I was just trying to put what he is teaching me into the game," said Shook, who made 8 of 10 shots, including both 3-pointers.

"My teammates, like Mariya, are really good passers, and she just gives open looks for everybody. It was just an all-around good game for everybody. W we just have to work on a few things."

Added Walz, "We've played hard and had different freshman step up throughout these four games. Now, I'd like to start seeing more consistency."

Camary Williams had 10 points and Ashley Hawkins 10 rebounds for the Purple Aces (4-6), who had won four in a row.

The Cardinals took control quickly behind first-quarter runs of 12 and eight straight points before an 11-0 run in the second paved the way to a 50-21 advantage at the break. The Cardinals eventually stretched their lead to 49 in the fourth quarter.

THE BIG PICTURE

Evansville: The Purple Aces' previous season low in shooting was 29 percent against Ball State, a number that never seemed possible as they couldn't match the Cardinals' size or quickness. Leading scorer Sara Dickey (17.9 points per game coming in) made just 2 of 15 shots for eight points. The Aces also were outrebounded 50-35.

"Against Louisville or any ranked team, you miss an easy shot on one end and can almost guarantee it's coming down the other way," interim coach Matt Ruffing said. "You have some breakdowns and a team like Louisville is going to make you pay."

Louisville: Playing their fourth game in eight days, the Cardinals outran, outshot and outrebounded Evansville from the start. They outscored Evansville 56-12 in the paint and its bench 48-13. Durr added 15 points and Briahanna Jackson 11 as the Cardinals shot 50 percent (37 of 74, including 11 of 17 in third quarter).

POLL IMPLICATIONS

Louisville should remain top 10 but the schedule picks up significantly with SEC member Vanderbilt beginning a seven-game stretch of Power 5 conference opponents.

UP NEXT

Evansville: Begins a three-game homestand on Wednesday with Alabama A&M.

Louisville: Ends its first stretch of nonconference play on Wednesday at Vanderbilt on Wednesday before beginning ACC competition Dec. 29 against Syracuse.

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More AP College Basketball: www.collegebasketball.ap.org

How can I watch Purple Aces vs. Cardinals?

• TV Channel: Purple Aces vs Cardinals 2021 College Basketball, week 6, is broadcasted on ACC Extra.
• Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.

Location: Louisville, KY
Attendance: 8,320 | Capacity: