Louisville scores first point vs. UCLA before game tips off due to pregame technical foul
An odd situation led the Cardinals to score before the matchup in Paris even began, but UCLA had the last laugh
As a busy opening day of women's basketball continues, the second ranked-on-ranked matchup of the day got off to an odd start. As No. 17 Louisville prepared to take on No. 5 UCLA in Paris, the Cardinals got a point before the game even tipped off.
Louisville was awarded two free throws to start the game due to a pregame technical foul on UCLA. Per the ESPN broadcast, UCLA received the technical for not delivering a starting lineup in time.
Louisville guard Tajianna Roberts took the free throws, missing the first but getting the second. As a result, the Cardinals started the game with a 1-0 lead prior to tipoff.
Per the NCAA rulebook, teams must give the referees the names and uniform numbers of the starting lineup and participating players more than 10 minutes before the game starts.
The unusual occurrence then made way to a relatively typical — but competitive — game. The Cardinals finished the first quarter with a five-point lead, going up 18-13 over UCLA. But the Bruins pushed back in the second quarter, with guard Londynn Jones draining a last-second 3-pointer to give UCLA the 32-29 lead at halftime.
UCLA maintained a small lead throughout the game, and grew the divide throughout the fourth quarter, eventually winning 66-59 and holding off any chance of a Cardinals comeback.
Roberts led both teams with 21 points for Louisville, while star Bruins center Lauren Betts led UCLA with 18 points and 13 rebounds. Forward Timea Gardiner scored 15 points and seven rebounds off the bench for UCLA, and Jones added 13 points of her own.
UCLA's win marked a lucky day for the Southern California teams in Paris, with USC picking up the win over Ole Miss earlier in the day.