NCAAW: How freshman Izela Arenas is finding footing for Louisville

Thursday night at the KFC Yum! Center, Louisville (6-4) showed it’s not time to count the team out.

After two disappointing losses to No. 10 Oklahoma and No. 2 UConn, the Cards came roaring back to defeat Grambling State, 96-57. The team was led by fifth-year senior forward Olivia Cochran, a fan favorite from the 2023-24 season who started all 34 games last year. In 24 minutes Cochran managed a team-best 18 points and team-high 11 rebounds for her first double-double of the season, a feat matched by junior Nyla Harris, who raked in 14 points and 10 rebounds of her own.

The pair were joined by two freshman guards, Tajianna Roberts and Izela Arenas, who each enjoyed double-digit scoring nights. Arenas knocked down 13 points, a season-high that was thrilling to watch in person. Other scorers for the Cardinals included senior guard Ja’Leah Williams and freshman guard Imani Berry, who each had six points, while senior guard Jayda Curry and freshman guard Reagan Bender both finished with seven points. Freshman forward Isla Juffermans and sophomore forward Elif Istanbulluoglu finished five points each, senior guard Merissah Russell contributed three and freshman forward Mackenly Randolph added two to round out the Cardinals’ scoring.

Williams and Arenas, in particular, had an excellent game. Williams, a senior who transferred from Miami after three seasons, appears to have come into a new understanding about her role on the team: It’s all about hitting big shots and playing tough defense. International development trainer Tremaine Dalton, who attended the Louisville-Grambling game and worked with Curry in France this summer, assessed:

It’s clear that Ja’Leah was focused on maximizing her efficiency. She hit a couple of tough mid-range shots in the game and battled Grambling’s point guard, Douthshine Prien. We saw her diving on the floor, playing full-court defense, hitting big shots, making good plays, and getting to the basket under control—all big steps forward.

It is a continued evolution of the skills she brought to Louisville, which Williams also showed off in the Cardinals rivalry game against Kentucky earlier in the season.

Arenas also displayed a newfound confidence. To Dalton, it looked like she was trusting her left hand more, explaining:

It’s likely that for the majority of her career in basketball, people have emphasized using her right hand, even though she’s left-handed. But a lot of left-handed players can learn to lean into the strength of their dominant hand, which allows them to score, go to the basket, and put themselves in positions to get open looks and open shots.

Arenas also showed confidence in her shot from the midrange and long distance, something that she hasn’t frequently exhibited on the court this season. To Dalton, it appeared that, “She challenged herself and took chances, which is huge for a freshman.” The below play exemplifies the confidence Arenas demonstrated, as she does not hesitate when the ball swings to her, draining a 3-pointer. It was one of three triples she made on Thursday.

The results of Williams’ and Arenas’ areas improvement, as well as that of the whole team, were felt in the victory. The Cardinals found themselves in a heated battle during the first quarter, when Grambling—led by the ferocious pairing of Prien, a senior guard, and grad center Lydia Freeman, as well as by head coach Courtney Simmons, a former Louisville player (2006-08)—proved they were more than willing and able to meet the home team’s energy. The Cards, however, soon came back with a 10-0 run in the first quarter.

Though the second quarter started off tight, the Cardinals soon pulled out a 13-0 run toward the end of the first half and maintained a sizable lead for the rest of the game. The team easily took control in the third quarter. Arenas and Curry turned up the magic during the fourth, which helped the team end the game on a triumphant note.

The Cardinals will hope to carry that momentum into Sunday’s home matchup against against No. 22 NC State (1 p.m. ET, ABC).