No. 24 Louisville Defeats Baylor in Final Non-Conference Battle

Cardinals' defense shuts down Baylor's top scorers in 82-71 win

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The 24th-ranked Louisville Cardinals closed out their non-conference schedule with an impressive 82-71 victory over the Baylor Bears in Fort Worth, Texas. Louisville's stifling defense held Baylor to just 36.7% shooting overall and 9.1% from 3-point range, while the Cardinals' offense was led by strong performances from Mikel Brown Jr. and J'Vonne Hadley.

Why it matters

This win over a tough Baylor team gives Louisville momentum heading into conference play, as the Cardinals look to build on their strong start to the season and make a push for the NCAA Tournament. The defensive effort against Baylor's talented backcourt duo of Tounde Yessoufou and Cameron Carr was particularly impressive.

The details

Louisville's defense set the tone early, as the Cardinals didn't attempt their first free throw until under 3 minutes remained in the first half, while Baylor shot 15 free throws in the same span. The game was tied at 34 at halftime, but Louisville turned up the defensive intensity in the second half, holding Baylor to just 36.7% shooting overall and 9.1% from 3-point range. Mikel Brown Jr. led the Cardinals with 29 points, while J'Vonne Hadley added 20 points on an efficient 7-of-10 shooting performance.

  • The game was played on February 15, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
  • Louisville and Baylor were tied 34-34 at halftime.

The players

Mikel Brown Jr.

A freshman point guard for Louisville who scored a game-high 29 points on 8-of-14 shooting, including 4 first-half 3-pointers. He also added 6 assists and a season-high 5 steals.

J'Vonne Hadley

A Louisville forward who scored 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting, adding 5 rebounds and 3 assists. Hadley has been on a scoring tear lately, reaching double figures in 8 of his last 9 games.

Tounde Yessoufou

A Baylor guard and NBA Draft prospect who was held to 16 points on 5-of-16 shooting.

Cameron Carr

Baylor's other NBA Draft prospect guard, who struggled mightily, shooting just 1-of-11 from the field.

Isaac Williams

Baylor's 6-foot-1 guard who scored a career-high 20 points against a high-major opponent.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The Cardinals will stay in the Dallas area and play SMU for the second time this season on Tuesday.

The takeaway

This win over a tough Baylor team shows that Louisville's defense can shut down even the most talented backcourts in the country, giving the Cardinals confidence and momentum heading into conference play as they look to secure an NCAA Tournament berth.