Louisville defeats California 70-90
Louisville Dominates California in Statement Win
The Louisville Cardinals made a strong statement on New Year's Eve, cruising to a 90-70 victory over the host California Golden Bears at Haas Pavilion.
The away team took control from the opening tip-off, building an early 48-34 halftime lead that set the tone for the rest of the game. The difference in performance between the two teams was stark, with Louisville's more efficient offense and stifling defense proving too much for California to handle.
Ryan Conwell led the way for Louisville, scoring 26 points on 6-for-13 shooting from three-point range. Sananda Fru chipped in with 13 points and 14 rebounds, while Ryan Conwell also dished out four assists.
Meanwhile, Chris Bell paced California with 20 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Cardinals' dominant performance. Lee Dort added 12 points and 10 rebounds, but the Golden Bears struggled to contain Louisville's high-powered offense.
The game was a blowout from start to finish, with the largest lead being 26 points in the third quarter. The final margin of 20 points was a testament to Louisville's superior team play.
Advanced statistics highlighted the disparity between the two teams. Louisville shot an eFG% of 56.5%, compared to California's 41.5%. Meanwhile, the Cardinals held a significant edge in true shooting percentage, with 59.9% compared to California's 49.4%.
The win marked a significant statement for Louisville, which will look to build on this momentum in upcoming conference matchups.