Louisville Cardinals Triumph Over Notre Dame
In a crucial Atlantic Coast Conference matchup, the 25th-ranked Louisville Cardinals secured a 76-65 victory against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Wednesday evening in Louisville, Kentucky. This win was powered by standout performances from Ryan Conwell and Khani Rooths, who both contributed 12 points to the Cardinals’ effort.
Conwell’s pivotal performance included a crucial stretch where he scored seven points during a 15-1 run early in the second half, allowing Louisville to extend their lead against a resilient Notre Dame team.
Game Highlights
As the game unfolded, Louisville shook off a sluggish start that saw them trailing 16-9, to lead 38-28 at the halftime mark. The Cardinals managed to pull away in the second half, thanks in part to Conwell’s aggressive play that resulted in a steal followed by a three-point play, pushing the Cardinals ahead 64-54 with just six minutes left on the clock. Rooths shone off the bench, providing key support with five points during critical moments of the game, including four consecutive points that sealed the run for Louisville.
Notre Dame’s Struggles
For Notre Dame, Cole Certa emerged as the leading scorer with 18 points, including five three-pointers, but the team struggled overall, recording their third consecutive defeat and ninth loss in 11 games. Isaac McKneely and Sananda Fru complemented Certa’s efforts with 13 and 12 points, respectively, while Kasean Pryor added another 10 off the bench.
Statistical Overview
Statistically, the Cardinals excelled at the free-throw line, converting 13 of 18 attempts, while the Fighting Irish managed only six of 14. Louisville’s dominance on the boards was evident, where they out-rebounded Notre Dame 46 to 35, and showcased a strong presence in the paint with a 40-22 advantage. Although Notre Dame shot nearly 41% from three-point range, they finished shooting just 39% overall, which hindered their ability to mount a comeback in the game after halftime.
Looking Ahead
Looking forward, Louisville will travel to Wake Forest for their next contest, while Notre Dame is set to host Florida State on Saturday. This victory marks Louisville’s second consecutive win, improving their season record to 16-6 and 6-4 in conference play.
