LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Interstat) — The Louisville women’s basketball team opened its Atlantic Coast Conference schedule with a commanding 91-58 victory over SMU on Thursday at KFC Yum! Center. The Cardinals overwhelmed the Mustangs, scoring 44 points in the paint and converting 22 points off turnovers. Louisville’s balanced attack featured 15 points from Tajianna Roberts and 10 from Skylar Jones. Imari Berry added 11 points and nine rebounds. Paulina Paris led SMU with 20 points in the loss. The Mustangs struggled to keep pace, managing only eight points off turnovers. Louisville improved to 13-3 overall. SMU fell to 7-8.

Preview: SMU Mustangs at No. -- Louisville Cardinals LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Interstat) — The Louisville women’s basketball team, riding high after a dominant win over a ranked opponent, will look to continue its strong start to the season when it hosts SMU on Thursday at KFC Yum! Center. The Cardinals (12-3), receiving votes in the latest AP Top 25 poll, have won five of their last six games. Their most recent performance was an emphatic 89-65 victory over then-Tennessee on Dec. 20. Guard Tajianna Roberts has been a catalyst, averaging 15.3 points and 4.2 assists over her last six contests, including an 18-point, 5-assist effort against the Lady Vols. “We’re building some momentum and understanding our identity,“ Louisville coach Jeff Walz said. “The focus now is maintaining that consistency as we get into the heart of the conference schedule.“ SMU (7-7), in its first season of Atlantic Coast Conference play, arrives looking to rebound from a 76-52 road loss at Virginia on Monday. The Mustangs have shown resilience, winning three of their previous four games before the Virginia trip. Guard Zahra King leads the team, coming off a 17-point performance against the Cavaliers and averaging 12.0 points over her last seven games. “Louisville is elite, well-coached, and playing at a very high level,“ SMU coach Toyelle Wilson said. “For us, it’s about competing for 40 minutes, valuing each possession, and using this as a measuring stick.“ The matchup presents a stark contrast. Louisville boasts one of the nation’s most potent offenses, averaging 81.5 points per game and winning by an average margin of 28.4 points in its 12 victories. SMU, meanwhile, has struggled offensively at times, averaging 68.6 points and shooting just 39.8% from the field as a team. Louisville holds a 6-1 all-time series advantage, with the last meeting occurring in 2006. This game marks the conference opener for both teams. Key Matchup: Louisville’s defensive pressure against SMU’s ball security. The Cardinals force over 19 turnovers per game, while the Mustangs average nearly 16 giveaways. Player to Watch: Louisville’s Roberts, a dynamic playmaker, against SMU’s King, the Mustangs’ primary scoring threat. How King handles Louisville’s perimeter defense will be critical for SMU’s chances. Up Next: Louisville hosts Virginia Tech on Sunday. SMU returns home to face Georgia Tech on Sunday.