Louisville didn’t exactly stroll through its 94-73 win over Ball State, even if the final margin makes it look that way. The Cardinals had to answer a steady challenge all night, with Ball State repeatedly trimming the lead and forcing Louisville to respond on both ends.
When the pressure came, Louisville had answers.
Imari Berry powered the scoring with 22 points and added six rebounds, while Tajianna Roberts chipped in 18. Mackenly Randolph was back after missing last week with an injury, and she wasted no time making her presence felt. In her return, Randolph posted 11 points, five rebounds, five steals and five assists.
Coach Walz called the game a valuable test.
“I thought it was a great test for us. I said that, and I hope our fans appreciate the fact that I’m always honest with our kids.
I knew this was going to be a very physical and very tough game. Ball State is a really good basketball team.”
He also singled out Amiya for the way she handled Louisville’s scoring load inside.
“[She] played outstanding. She was really, really fantastic for us.
The way she scored the basketball in the paint…. I thought she had big baskets.
When they would make a run I thought she did a really nice job.”
Walz also highlighted Zamareya Jones, who finished with nine assists and no turnovers.
“She’s explosive off the dribble. She knows how to change pace.
Those are things with her size that makes her unique. Surprising in a game like this that she only had 1 board she normally does a better job of rebounding.”
Louisville’s next challenge comes Sunday at 5:30 against ranked UConn at the Yum Center. The game will air on ESPN, with even-numbered sections wearing red and odd-numbered sections wearing black.
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