Louisville kicks off 2016 with a BANG, upsets FSU

Louisville, KY -- The Cardinals kicked off the New Year with a huge win upsetting No. 15/13 Florida State.

Louisville's defense overwhelmed Florida State in the 79-69 victory. The Cardinals tallied 30 points off 24 Seminoles turnovers.

Mariya Moore was crucial for the Cardinals racking up an impressive 20 points in 40 minutes.

"A win is a great way to start the league; it's a great way to start the new year," Head Coach Jeff Walz told the media. "I was really pleased with the effort our kids played with for all 40 minutes."

Nine of the 24 Florida State turnovers came in the first and Louisville capitalized racking up 10 points off of turnovers.

Florida State struck first in the game, but the Cardinals quickly retaliated. Louisville held the Seminoles to a crushing six points in the first period; the lowest first quarter score the Seminoles have posted all season.

Arica Carter was the star of the first period. Carter racked up seven quick points, connecting on 3-of-3 from the field, 1-1 from three. Carter was the fuel to the Cardinals fire in the first period.

The Cardinals ran past Florida State in the first period, 19-6.

Kai James put up five quick points early in the second period. James' offensive effort woke the Seminoles up. Maria Conde hit a three and Leticia Romero connected on a jumper bringing Florida State within five.

But Mariya Moore was not going to let Louisville's lead slip. Moore hit three from beyond the arc to put the Cardinals up by nine, 38-29 going into halftime.

The Cardinals came out after halftime and continued their dominance outscoring the Seminoles 26-22.

Shakalya Thomas fought to bring the Seminoles back, connecting on 3-5 from the field and posting seven points. However, Florida State could not find an answer for Briahanna Jackson in the third period.

Jackson, a threat on both sides of the ball, racked up 11 points for the Cardinals. Jackson could not be stopped.

Louisville led by 13 heading into the final period.

Florida State came back with a vengeance in the fourth period outscoring the Cardinals, 18-15. Adut Bulgak connected on 3-of-4 from three, including crucial back to back threes to cut the lead to seven. Brittany Brown put another three, but the damage had been done.

Florida State lost momentum after two players, Leticia Romero and Emiah Bingley, fouled out.

The Cardinals saw players at the charity stripe seven times in the fourth period. Louisville connected on 9-14, earning nine of their 15 fourth period points at the line.

Louisville outplayed the talented Seminoles and came up with the win.

The Cardinals had four players post double digits against Florida State. Myisha Hines-Allen, Mariya Moore and Briahanna Jackson tallied 13, 20 and 15 points respectively. Arica Carter added 11 points.

Asia Durr and Cortnee Walton put up 9 points apiece. Walton had a team-high 11 boards against Florida State.

"I'm not sure how many gave us a chance in this ballgame today." Coach Walz told the media. He added, "It was a great effort. I was really pleased. I was proud of all of them."