NASSAU, Bahamas — In an impressive display, Chucky Hepburn contributed significantly with 16 points, alongside 10 assists and seven steals, while Noah Waterman matched his scoring total with another 16 points, as Louisville triumphed over No. 14 Indiana with a decisive score of 89-61 in the opening match of the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament.
This victory marks a notable achievement for Louisville (4-1), as it is their first win against a ranked opponent since they edged out Virginia Tech with a narrow 73-71 victory on January 6, 2021.
Kasean Pryor proved to be a key player, scoring 10 of his 14 points in the latter half, while Reyne Smith contributed 12 points for the Cardinals. On the Hoosiers’ side, Malik Reneau was the standout performer with 21 points, complemented by Oumar Ballo’s 11 points. This game marks the eighth occasion in which Reneau has scored over 20 points in his collegiate career.
At halftime, Louisville maintained a 37-29 lead, shooting convincingly at 57% overall and successfully making 7 out of 17 from beyond the arc. Indiana struggled at various points in the first half, missing six consecutive shots twice and enduring a stretch with seven consecutive misses, ending up with a 31% shooting accuracy as they managed only 9 of 29 attempts.
The second half saw Louisville surge ahead, netting an impressive 52 points and hitting 66.7% from the field. Pryor showcased his shooting accuracy, missing only one of his six attempts after the break.
The critical moment of the game appeared early in the second half, as Louisville established a strong possession with an 11-2 run, highlighted by Pryor’s exhilarating fast-break dunk. The Cardinals further expanded their lead to 30 points following an alley-oop dunk from freshman Khani Rooths, part of a remarkable 16-0 scoring streak for a commanding 78-40 advantage.
Focusing on statistics, Louisville was already recognized for their prolific shooting from the three-point range, ranking sixth nationally for attempts per game at 34. Against Indiana, they took 27 shots from long range, converting 10 of those, with both Waterman and Smith scoring four each. Additionally, the Cardinals are known for their defensive capabilities, forcing 19 turnovers on average per game, leading to 30 points off a total of 23 turnovers committed by Indiana.
Looking ahead, Louisville will be facing the winner of the second game between West Virginia and No. 3 Gonzaga on Thursday, after having played their first road game of the season. Indiana will shift to the consolation bracket, preparing to compete against the loser of that match.