LOUISVILLE, Ky. — In a convincing display of skill and strategy, the No. 11 Louisville Cardinals triumphed over Montana with a score of 94-54 on Saturday, thanks to a standout performance from Sananda Fru, who scored a season-high 18 points. This victory marked Louisville’s 10th win of the season, putting their record at 10-2.
Despite being without star freshman point guard Mikel Brown Jr. due to a back injury, the Cardinals took control of the game early on, finishing the first half with a dominant 17-0 run that gave them a comfortable 42-20 lead at the break. Fru, a 6-foot-11 forward from Germany, showcased his talent with a perfect shooting performance, going 9 of 11 from the field and grabbing eight rebounds.
Louisville displayed a strong overall team effort with five players reaching double digits in scoring. Isaac McKneely contributed significantly with 16 points, hitting 4 of 6 from beyond the arc, while Ryan Conwell added 14 points. J’Vonne Hadley and Khani Rooths chipped in with 13 and 10 points, respectively. The team finished with a shooting percentage of 52.3%, illustrating their offensive efficiency.
In contrast, Montana struggled throughout the game, particularly in the first half, where they sank just 6 of 24 attempts and shot a season-low 32.1% for the game. They were also heavily outrebounded, with Louisville dominating the glass 48-25. Grant Kepley led the Grizzlies with a season-high 15 points off the bench, and Tyler Thompson added 12 points.
Looking ahead, Montana will have a break before beginning Big Sky Conference play against Northern Arizona on New Year’s Day. Meanwhile, Louisville is set to take to the road for their first Atlantic Coast Conference matchup against California on December 30.
This game not only showcased Louisville’s resilience in the face of adversity but also highlighted their potential as they enter a challenging conference schedule. The Cardinals’ depth and teamwork were on full display, offering a promising outlook as the season progresses.