No. 22 Louisville women’s basketball has truly shined this season with remarkable performances from its freshmen. Guard Taj Roberts has been a force, scoring in double figures in all but one game and earning ACC Freshman of the Week honors twice within the first month. Fellow guard Imari Berry stands out as one of the nation’s top 3-point shooters, making an impressive 52% of her shots. However, as they face their third-ranked opponent, the Cardinals will need to see more consistency from their older players as well.

Reunion and Challenges Ahead

Today at 5 p.m., Louisville is set to face No. 11 Oklahoma in the second annual SEC/ACC Challenge. It will be a special reunion for veterans Olivia Cochran, Merissah Russell, and Nyla Harris as they go up against a former teammate, Payton Verhulst. Verhulst left Louisville during the 2022-23 season and has become the team’s second-leading scorer at 13.4 points per game, along with 6.4 rebounds per outing. Louisville coach Jeff Walz emphasizes the need to make it difficult for Verhulst on defense while also noting her improvement in passing.

Game Dynamics and Player Performances

Louisville is currently 2-0 against Oklahoma in the series and aims to maintain this perfect record while achieving their first ranked win of the season. Olivia Cochran leads the Cardinals with 15 points and seven rebounds. Neither team is shooting at a high percentage, with the Cardinals making only one of their last seven field goal attempts. But they are still ahead. Taj Roberts scores four quick points to increase the Cardinals’ lead over the Sooners. Coach Walz has challenged the older players to step up and be more consistent, and they are showing progress this evening. Olivia Cochran and Merissah Russell each have six points to lead U of L.

Key Moments and Broadcast Details

The Cardinals’ 8-0 run was ended by a 3-pointer from OU’s Sahara Williams. The game will be televised on ESPN2, and qualified subscribers can stream it on ESPN+. Nick Curran (play-by-play) and Cortnee Walton (analyst) will provide the call on the Cardinal Sports Network (WLCL 93.9-FM and WGTK 970-AM in Louisville). You can also listen online via GoCards.com.Throughout the season, Louisville has a packed schedule with various matchups. Here are some of their upcoming games:Monday, Nov. 4: UCLA 66, Louisville 59 (Aflac Oui-Play Event)Friday, Nov. 8: Louisville 75, Southern Indiana 51Tuesday, Nov. 12: Louisville 86, UT Martin 64Saturday, Nov. 16: Kentucky 71, Louisville 61, OTThursday, Nov. 21: Louisville 107, Morehead State 70Sunday, Nov. 24: Louisville 64, South Florida 60Saturday, Nov. 30: Louisville 79, Colorado 71Wednesday, Dec. 4: Oklahoma at Louisville (SEC/ACC Challenge) | 5 p.m., ESPN2Saturday, Dec. 7: Louisville vs. UConn (Women’s Champions Classic) | 9:30 p.m. at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, FOXThursday, Dec. 12: Louisville vs. Grambling State | 7 p.m., ACCNxSunday, Dec. 15: Louisville vs. N.C. State*, 1 p.m. (ABC)Saturday, Dec. 21: Louisville at Memphis | 5 p.m., ESPNUSunday, Dec. 29: Louisville at Boston College* | 2 p.m., ACC NetworkThursday, Jan. 2: Louisville vs. Miami* | 7 p.m., ACCNxSunday, Jan. 5: Louisville at Wake Forest* | 4 p.m., ACC NetworkThursday, Jan. 9: Louisville at Pittsburgh* | 6 p.m., ACCNxSunday, Jan. 12: Louisville vs. Georgia Tech* | 4 p.m., ACC NetworkThursday, Jan. 16: Louisville vs. Syracuse* | 7 p.m., ACCNxSunday, Jan. 19: Louisville at Virginia Tech* | 4 p.m., ACC NetworkSunday, Jan. 26: Louisville at Virginia* | 2 p.m., The CWThursday, Jan. 30: Louisville at SMU* | 8 p.m., ACC NetworkSunday, Feb. 2: Louisville vs. Notre Dame* | Noon, ESPN2Thursday, Feb. 6: Louisville vs. California* | 8 p.m., ACC NetworkSunday, Feb. 9: Louisville vs. Stanford* | Noon, ESPN2Thursday, Feb. 13: Louisville at Florida State* | 6 p.m., ACCNxThursday, Feb. 20: Louisville at Duke* | 7 p.m., ESPN2Sunday, Feb. 23: Louisville vs. North Carolina* | 2 p.m., ESPNThursday, Feb. 27: Louisville vs. Clemson* | 6 p.m., ACC NetworkSunday, March 2: Louisville at Notre Dame* | TBA, ESPNThe team is composed of talented players such as Izela Arenas (freshman, guard), Imari Berry (freshman, guard), Nyla Harris (junior, forward), Mackenly Randolph (freshman, forward), Rebekah Graves (freshman, guard), Anaya Hardy (freshman, forward), Eseosa Imafidon (redshirt freshman, center), Elif Istanbulluoglu (sophomore, forward), Ja’Leah Williams (senior, guard), Merissah Russell (graduate senior, guard), Isla Juffermans (freshman, forward), and Reagan Bender (freshman, guard).Click here to view the Sooners’ 2024-25 schedule.Click here to view the Sooners’ 2024-25 roster.Reach Louisville football, women’s basketball and baseball beat writer Alexis Cubit at cubit@gannett.com and follow her on X at @Alexis_Cubit.