LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Jazmine Jones scored 22 points, Dana Evans added 20 and No. 8 Louisville built a cushion with a hot shooting start and outlasted Boise State 98-82 on Sunday.
The Cardinals (5-0) shot 71% in the first half, including 12 of 16 in the second quarter, for a 58-34 lead. A quick pace on both ends helped them own most statistical areas. Louisville won the rebounding battle 34-25 and scored 25 points off 20 turnovers.
Louisville cooled off significantly in the second half to finish 54% from the field. Meanwhile, Boise State (3-3) awoke from the field to shoot 85% after the break and 61% overall. The Broncos got within 91-77 with 2:39 remaining before the Cardinals answered with several late baskets.
Jones provided the initial spark with 10 first-quarter points and finished three points below her career-best. Kylee Shook and Elizabeth Dixon added 15 points apiece for the Cardinals.
Braydey Hodgins and Rachel Bowers each scored 16 points and A’Shanti Coleman had 15 for the Broncos, who lost consecutive games for the first time since January 2018 and fell to 0-3 all-time against the Cardinals.
BIG PICTURE
Boise State: The Broncos shot above 50% for the first time since their opener against Lewis-Clark State (57%). But their early struggles against Louisville’s smothering defense dug a quick hole they spent the rest of the game trying to climb from.
Louisville: Good thing the Cardinals started fast, because the Broncos posted the best shooting performance against them this season. The upside was they frequently created chances behind offensive rebounding (16-6) and defense.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
Louisville’s top-10 position shouldn’t change after its second decisive victory this week.
UP NEXT
Boise State hosts Utah Valley on Tuesday before visiting TCU on Sunday in the Maggie Dixon Classic.
Louisville’s schedule toughens up with Thursday’s meeting against UT Arlington at the Paradise Jam in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Cardinals will also face Oklahoma State and top-ranked Oregon during their Caribbean trip.
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