WB2K23: LIVE IN ATHENS

Emaia O'Brien scored 19 points and Ashley Austin followed her up with 16 as Long Island University travelled into Athens, Ohio to defeat Ohio 74-67. O'Brien canned four of her 11 three-point shots and shot 5-6 from the free-throw line. Austin shot a respectable 7-15 overall including 2-6 from three. Iris Mbulito also made a strong contribution for the winners with 13 rebounds and 10 points.

"Obviously we loss and we're disappointed," said Ohio coach Bob Boldon after his team's defeat. "We tried like crazy to win. A lot of kids played a college basketball game that hadn't played one in a long time."

Many of Ohio's players made their return to the court after battles with injuries and COVID-19. Guard Caitlyn Kroll played her first game since the 2020-21 season. She led the Bobcats with 15 points making 10 of her 12 free-throw attempts. Unfortunately, she and her teammates struggled to score from the field. Kroll shot 2-9 and the team made just 17-of-49 attempts for 34.7 percent.

"I think it comes with experience," Kroll said. "As we play more games, I think people will become more comfortable. We're not really looking for our shots. Everyone's passive and things like that."

Ohio was led in assists by Jaya McClure who posted five dimes to go along with 11 points and five rebounds. Abby Garnett gave a good effort off of the bench for the Ohio frontcourt posting seven points, five rebounds and one blocked shot.

LIU was just a bit more effective and assertive. The visitors forced 22 turnovers and collected 12 steals compared Ohio's five steals. Ohio shot 27 percent making 10-of-37 threes, while LIU drained 36 percent of its shots from beyond the arc making nine out of 25 attempts.

"I thought LIU played a really nice basketball game today," Boldon said. "We had them on the ropes ... It's a good win for them and the sign of a good team"

LIU will remain on the road, taking on Illinois, Nov. 9, as Ohio will travel to battle Longwood, Nov. 10 in Farmville, Virginia.

No. 7 Louisville 87, Cincinnati 68

Braylyn Milton shot the lights out for Cincinnati, but Louisville earned a 19-point win on its home court. Milton scored 28 points on a perfect 5-5 night from three. As a team, the Bearcats shot 69.2 percent from long-range making nine of 13 triple attempts. What killed the Bearcats was a slow start as Louisville outscored Cincinnati 24-10 in the first quarter. Cincinnati also had 24 turnovers and just eight assists.

Louisville was led by star guard Haley Van Lith who scored 28 points while shooting 12-20. Louisville made just five of 21 three-point attempts but shot a very strong 51.7 percent overall. Forward Liz Dixon scored 12 points for the Cardinals, after shooting 5-6 from the field.

LSU 125, Bellarmine 50

Angel Reese and LSU beat Bellarmine into oblivion on opening night. The transfer from Maryland scored 31 points missing just three of her 14 shot attempts. She also posted 13 rebounds with four steals, two blocks and two steals in the home win, which was her debut in purple and gold. LSU got another double-double off of the bench as Sa'Myah Smith posted 12 points and 11 rebounds.

Bellarmine trailed 66-19 at the half. LSU allowed the visitors to score 31 in the second half but still kept its foot on the gas with 62 more points in to close out the final two quarters.