CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) — Jayda Curry scored 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting, Merissah Russell scored 11 of her 12 points in the fourth quarter Sunday and No. 19 Louisville beat Miami 77-72 in a sloppy and disjointed ACC opener for both teams.
Nyla Harris had 13 points — nine in the first quarter — and 12 rebounds for Louisville (12-2), Kiki Jefferson scored 12 and Olivia Cochran finished with 11 points, seven rebounds, two steals and two blocks.
Ja’Leah Williams hit from behind the arc to give Miami a four-point lead with 6:57 to play, Russell answered with a 3-pointer 18 seconds later. She added two more 3s and a pair of free throws before Harris made a layup with 55 seconds left to cap a 13-5 run that gave the Cardinals a 73-69 lead. Lemyah Hylton made a layup, but Nina Rickards hit a pull-up jumper from the left elbow with 13 seconds left. Williams made the second of two free throws to make it 75-72 about nine seconds later and Cochran capped the scoring with two foul shots.
Hylton led Miami (10-2) with 12 points and Williams scored eight of her 11 in the fourth quarter. Shayeann Day-Wilson, Lashae Dwyer and Jasmyne Roberts added 10 points apiece.
Louisville made 28 of 56 from the field, shot 56% (5 of 9) from 3-point range and made as many free throws (16) as Miami attempted.
The teams combined for 42 turnovers and 41 personal fouls.
Louisville returns home to face Duke on Thursday. Miami plays at Boston College on Thursday.
Read MoreWSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale
