LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Interstat) — Louisville rolled past Montana 94-54 in a nonconference men’s basketball game Saturday at KFC Yum! Center. The Cardinals overwhelmed the Grizzlies with efficient offense and stifling defense. Louisville shot 52.3% from the floor, scored 44 points in the paint and forced 19 turnovers, converting them into 17 points. Montana shot just 32.1% and managed only two fastbreak points. Sananda Fru led Louisville with 18 points and eight rebounds. Isaac McKneely added 16 points. Grant Kepley scored 15 points for Montana. Louisville improved to 10-2. Montana fell to 6-7.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Interstat) — The Louisville Cardinals turned a dominant first-half defensive performance into a comfortable 94-54 victory over the visiting Montana Grizzlies in a nonconference men’s basketball game Saturday at KFC Yum! Center. The most important stretch of the game came early, as Louisville’s defense completely smothered Montana’s offense, setting a tone that would last the entire afternoon. The Grizzlies managed just two field goals in the game’s first 10 minutes, missing 12 of their first 14 shots while committing seven turnovers. That allowed the Cardinals to build a double-digit lead they would never relinquish, capitalizing on the visitors’ mistakes and cold shooting to pull away decisively. Louisville’s Sananda Fru, a 6-foot-11 forward from Berlin, Germany, led all scorers with 18 points and added eight rebounds and two blocks in just 23 minutes of action. He was a central figure in the early defensive stand and efficient on the offensive end, making eight of his 11 shot attempts. He was supported by a balanced Cardinals attack that saw Isaac McKneely score 16 points, J’Vonne Hadley add 13 and Ryan Conwell chip in 14. Montana, which fell to 6-7, was led by Grant Kepley’s 15 points but struggled mightily against Louisville’s length and pressure. The Grizzlies shot just 32.1% from the floor and turned the ball over 19 times, leading to 17 Louisville points. The Cardinals also dominated inside, outscoring Montana 44-20 in the paint and outrebounding them 41-28. Louisville improved to 10-2, showcasing the depth and defensive intensity that has characterized its strong start to the season. After a competitive opening few minutes, the Cardinals seized control with a 17-2 run midway through the first half. The run was fueled by defensive stops and transition opportunities, with Fru scoring six points during the surge. Montana’s offensive woes were encapsulated by a stretch of over four minutes without a field goal. The Cardinals led 42-19 at halftime, holding the Grizzlies to a dismal 22.6% shooting in the opening period. Montana never cut the deficit below 20 points in the second half as Louisville continued to execute efficiently on both ends, finishing the game shooting 52.3% from the field and 35.3% from three-point range. For Montana, the loss continued a difficult stretch against high-major competition, while Louisville rebounded convincingly from a road loss at Tennessee earlier in the week. The Cardinals now look ahead to a West Coast trip to face California and Stanford before opening Atlantic Coast Conference play. Montana returns home to begin Big Sky Conference action on New Year’s Day against Northern Arizona. The game’s outcome was never in doubt after Louisville’s initial defensive blitz, which established a margin too large for the overmatched Grizzlies to overcome. The Cardinals’ ability to convert Montana’s mistakes into easy baskets and maintain their offensive efficiency throughout proved to be the decisive formula in a lopsided victory.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Interstat) — The Louisville Cardinals, riding high at 9-2, return home to host the .500 Montana Grizzlies in a nonconference men’s basketball matchup Saturday at KFC Yum! Center. The Cardinals look to rebound from their most lopsided loss of the season, an 83-62 defeat at No. 4-ranked Tennessee on Tuesday. Despite the loss, guard Adrian Wooley continued his strong play, scoring 19 points. Wooley has been a consistent offensive threat, averaging 14.8 points over his last five games, including a 15-point performance in a dominant 99-73 win over Memphis on Dec. 13. Louisville’s resume includes a notable 96-88 victory over rival Kentucky on Nov. 11 and its only other loss came on the road at Arkansas, 89-80, on Dec. 3. Montana (6-6) arrives after a disappointing 82-75 home loss to NAIA opponent Montana Tech on Wednesday. The Grizzlies have struggled for consistency, alternating wins and losses over their last six games. Guard Te’Jon Sawyer will be a focal point for Montana. He erupted for 23 points in 35 minutes against Montana Tech and is capable of high-scoring outputs, as shown by a 13-point effort in just 22 minutes in a blowout win over Salish-Kootenai on Dec. 10. Support comes from guards Money Williams (19 points vs. Montana Tech) and Brooklyn Hicks. The game represents a final tune-up for both teams before league play begins in January. Louisville opens Atlantic Coast Conference action at California on Dec. 30, while Montana starts Big Sky Conference play at home against Northern Arizona on Jan. 1. For the Grizzlies, this trip is a major step up in competition and a chance to secure a signature road win. For the Cardinals, it’s an opportunity to refine their game before a challenging ACC slate. Tipoff is set for Saturday, Dec. 20.