Nov 4, 2024; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Louisville Cardinals head coach Pat Kelsey reacts during the first half against the Morehead State Eagles at KFC Yum! Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images
Louisville opened the Pat Kelsey era with a bang on Monday, defeating visiting Morehead State 93-45 in both teams’ season opener.
James Scott made an alley-oop dunk off a pass from Chucky Hepburn in the first minute of the game and the Cardinals never looked back. However, it was the defense that carried Louisville throughout the first half.
While Kelsey’s team was just 6 of 20 from three-point range before halftime, the Cardinals held the Eagles to just 1 of 21 from the field over the final 13:23 of the first half. Louisville took advantage of Morehead State’s poor shooting, going on runs of 14-1 and 11-2 to take a 41-14 lead into halftime.
Louisville found its groove after halftime, shooting 48.7 percent overall in the second half and 45.1 percent for the game. The Cardinals had a lead of up to 50 points with 3:02 left in the game.
Kasean Pryor led the new-look Cardinals, coming off the bench to finish with 18 points and 12 rebounds. He was one of five players to score in double figures for Louisville. J’Vonne Hadley added 15 points, while Scott, Terrence Edwards Jr. and Reyne Smith each scored 12.
Kelsey emptied the bench on Monday, with 14 players getting minutes and 12 scoring in the rout.
The Eagles, who also welcomed a new coach on the bench, Jonathan Mattox, couldn’t find their rhythm in the second half after the poor performance in the first. They finished with 37.5 percent shooting after the break and finished with 23.1 percent for the game.
The 48-point loss was Morehead State’s worst since a 101-49 setback against Xavier on Nov. 10, 2017.
Kenny White Jr. led the Eagles with 14 points. No other Morehead State player finished with more than six points, and Dieonte Miles contributed six points and 11 rebounds.
–Field level media
