Louisville Survives Chattanooga Comeback in 84-70 Season Opener
Flory Bidunga scored 16 points in his debut for No. 11 Louisville, which built a massive early cushion before stalling offensively down the stretch to secure an 84-70 victory over Chattanooga on Monday night in Louisville, Kentucky.
The Cardinals won their fourth straight season opener and their third under coach Pat Kelsey, leaning on a blistering start that yielded a 25-point lead late in the first half. Adrian Wooley chipped in 15 points for Louisville, while Seth Trimble and Jackson Shelstad added 13 points apiece. Alvaro Folgueiras rounded out the double-figure scorers with 10 points as the Cardinals finished shooting 44.1 percent from the floor, hitting 30 of 68 attempts.
Chattanooga countered with 14 points each from Zach Bleshoy and Yonatan Levy, keeping the pressure on after the break when the game’s momentum flipped dramatically.
Hot Shooting Gives Way to Second-Half Droughts
Louisville missed its opening shot of the night before catching fire, sinking 10 of their next 11 field goal attempts. That surge built a 23-11 advantage following a dunk by Bidunga with 13:43 left in the first half. The margin widened to 55-30 just under two minutes before intermission, aided by a dominant 21-11 rebounding edge that included eight offensive boards.
The second half bore little resemblance to the first. Louisville connected on just 29 percent of its shots after halftime, going 9 of 31. The team missed its first 12 three-point attempts after the break, finishing a cold 1 for 16 from beyond the arc in the second half. The offense went silent over the final 4:13, converting only two of its final 11 shots.
No. 11 Louisville defeated Chattanooga 84-70 in the Cardinals' season opener on Monday night. Flory Bidunga led all scorers with 16 points on 6-for-9 shooting. He also had nine rebounds and three steals in 20 minutes.https://t.co/H8CwPELeop pic.twitter.com/jGxEoJDN8q
Chattanooga experienced its own offensive struggles after the intermission. After hitting 7 of 15 from distance in the opening period, the Mocs managed a 5-for-18 mark on three-pointers in the second half.
Bidunga and Knox Lead Cardinals as Chattanooga Prepares for Penn State
Bidunga, who came to Louisville after he was the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year last season for Kansas, shot 6 of 9 from the floor, grabbed nine rebounds, and recorded three steals. Karter Knox contributed nine points and 11 rebounds for the Cardinals, though he limped off the court following a hard fall in the final minute.
Chattanooga finished shooting 43.9 percent on 25-of-57 shooting while committing 18 turnovers.
Chattanooga travels to face Penn State on Thursday. Louisville returns home to host Morehead State on Saturday.
More on Flory Bidunga
FINAL- #11 Louisville wins 84-70 over Chattanooga – Very Balanced night for the Cards – Flory Bidunga with 16 Pts & 9 Rbs – Adrian Wooley had 15 points – Seth Trimble & Jackson Shelstad each had 13 points – Karter Knox with 9 Pts & 11 Rbs pic.twitter.com/cOpjrp5atT
FINAL Louisville 84, Chattanooga 70 Cards' offense was sluggish in the second half (1 of 15 from 3) and 9 of 18 from the line. Five in double figures, led by Flory Bidunga with 16 points and nine rebounds.
