LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Bellarmine University women's basketball team opened the season Monday night with a 119-47 loss to No. 7 Louisville at the KFC Yum! Center.
In her first game since November of the 2024-25 season, redshirt sophomore center
Hana Abdel Aal was in the vicinity of a double-double after recording nine points and seven rebounds for Bellarmine (0-1). In her collegiate debut, freshman guard
Leigha Acoff matched Abdel Aal with nine points against the Cardinals (1-0).
Louisville had seven players score in double figures, led by 15 points from Tajianna Roberts. Expected to have the capability of being a juggernaut this season, the Cardinal scored 44 points in the first quarter, dished out 27 assists and shot 54.1 percent for the game.
In her Bellarmine debut, sophomore guard Coumba Keïta amassed a game-high nine rebounds. The Knights equipped themselves admirably on the boards, as Louisville had a modest 45-39 edge. Sophomore center
Tacko Sy, also making her Bellarmine debut, grabbed five rebounds and notched eight points.
Knights head coach
Monique Reid and Cardinals head coach Jeff Walz shared warm embraces before and after the contest. Reid was a star player under Walz, helping lead U of L to a pair of Final Fours, and is in its Athletics Hall of Fame.
Bellarmine will make its 2026-27 home debut by hosting Simmons College at 6:30 p.m. (ET) Thursday.
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