Louisville Beats Cal 90-70 at Haas Pavilion in First ACC Match of Season

BERKELEY - The Louisville Cardinals beat the California Golden Bears 90-70 at Haas Pavilion in both teams’ first ACC matchup of the year. 

“We did not do a good enough job of keeping them away from their strengths, not even close. They came up with every 50-50 ball,” Coach Mark Madsen said in the post game interview. 

The Cardinals connected on a quick high to low action for an alley oop to open the game and jumped out to a quick 12-4 lead thanks to six early points in the paint from Louisville bigman Sananda Fru. 

For the Bears, Dai Dai Ames provided an early offensive spark but the Cardinals maintained a solid lead in the first 10 minutes. The Cardinals moved the ball well and created open looks with big man action at the top of the post and solid off ball screens. One of which led to a Louisville three from the wing putting them up 19-9. 

To the Bears’ credit, they continued attacking and used the Cardinals’ physicality against them, getting into the bonus ahead with about 11 minutes left in the first half. 

Justin Pippen also chipped in with an early three and a block on the defensive end but the Bears’ looked stagnant offensively, especially compared to the dynamic ball movement from the Cardinals. 

While Cal initially struggled to knock down some open looks, as the first half wound down, they were struggling to find open looks at all. With just over seven minutes in the first, Louisville led 31-13. 

Cal’s offensive struggles continued in the first as the handoffs and backdoor curls they’ve made use of through the first 13 games weren’t as available on Tuesday night. Louisville was intensely physical on defense and the Cardinals’ ball movement helped break down the Bears’ perimeter defense. 

“They’re a super aggressive team,” Chris Bell said in a post game press conference. 

With under four minutes left in the first period, the Bears trailed by 15 but were more active on defense. Pippen forced a turnover from Louisville’s Ryan Conwell with active hands on the drive which helped set up two Bell free throws. A missed Louisville three led to a Lee Dort layup to draw Cal within 11, but Louisville was once again able to use its quick ball movement, and tenacious offensive rebounding, to press their advantage. A J’Vonne Hadley three put the Cardinals up 42-25. 

Once the Bears came alive defensively, they were able to fight Louisville's mounting momentum. Chris Bell forced a turnover in the low block which led to a quick Pippen three. Bell sank a three to end the half but a slashing Adrian Wooley layup put the Cardinals in the catbird seat, 48-34, after the first 20 minutes. 

Cal showed some offensive life to start the second half, netting seven quick points, but defensive lapses and offensive rebounds allowed Louisville to counter with eight points of their own. Louisville dominated the rebound battle in the first half and stayed tenacious on the glass as they had four offensive rebounds in the first four minutes of the second half. 

A Khani Rooths and one combined with an Adrian Wooley three gave the Cardinals’ their biggest lead of the night at 23, with about 14 minutes left in the game. 

At multiple points in the second half, the Bears were caught flat-footed on the drives and late on the rotations. Cal did show some life though. Some good looks in the fast break and a couple threes from Bell and Camden, respectively, brought the Bears to within 11.

Cal’s run was stifled by a Louisville three and an offensive put back. With under four to play, the Cardinals led 80-64. 

As time dwindled, the Cardinals pushed their lead back to 23 with under two minutes to go. Overall, the Bears shot just 34 percent from the field and while they won the turnover battle, they were outrebounded 50-31, giving up 15 offensive rebounds.  

“They got key rebounds in key situations. Losing the battle on the glass tonight was disappointing. We have the physicality to do it, we just didn’t come up with the basketballs. Our guys have been active to the ball most of the year but we were a step slow tonight,” Madsen said. 

The final, 90-70, reflected both Louisville’s defensive tenacity and offensive activity.  

Thus far, the Cal winning strategy has mixed quick hands defensively with quick ball movement offensively to create open looks from deep and downlow. Moving forward, the Bears can win with that same potent combination used to start the season. The shots will fall eventually but the off-ball movement, strong rebounding and responsive defense is a must to earn more wins. 

While Tuesday night was tough for the Bears, there were bright moments especially during the extended run in the second half. 

“I think we showed some heart out there. We keep playing hard and keep fighting, that’s just who we are,” Lee Dort said.