Schimmel scores 20 points, Louisville women top Middle Tennessee 74-49 to open NCAA tournament

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Shoni Schimmel scored 20 points, and the fifth-seeded Louisville Cardinals beat Middle Tennessee 74-49 on Sunday for their fifth straight opening NCAA tournament win under coach Jeff Walz.

Louisville (25-8) will play No. 4 seed Purdue, a 77-43 winner over Liberty, on Tuesday night in the second round of the Oklahoma City Regional.

Middle Tennessee (25-8) snapped a seven-game winning streak, and the Blue Raiders now have lost seven straight first-round NCAA games.

Monique Reid added 15 points for Louisville. Bria Smith had 10 points and 10 rebounds with six assists, while Jude Schimmel added 11 points.

The Cardinals now are 4-1 all-time against Middle Tennessee, and they jumped on the Blue Raiders from the start and never trailed.

Kortni Jones led Middle Tennessee with 14 points, and Icelyn Elie added 13. Ebony Rowe had her 21st double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.