Defense carries Cards as they dominate Michigan in battle of top-10 teams at Yum Center

The Louisville women's basketball team continued its strong play with a dominating performance in a top-10 matchup with Michigan. 

The Cardinals, ranked No. 5 in the USA Today Coaches Poll, defeated ninth-ranked Michigan 70-48. It's the first top-10 win for Louisville since beating NC State on Feb. 13, 2019. Louisville (6-1) trailed the Wolverines 7-2 early but a 23-2 run helped it build an insurmountable lead for Michigan. 

Emily Engstler and Kianna Smith led the Cardinals in scoring with 18 and 17 points respectively. But it was Louisville's defense that stole the show. The Cardinals forced 24 turnovers and turned those into 32 points. 

Previously:Smith & Smith each score 11 as No. 10 Louisville beats CSU

Louisville will be back at home on Sunday against Belmont at noon before hosting Kentucky on Dec. 12. 

Here's three takeaways from Thursday's win, though. 

Louisville's defense continues to smother offenses

In Louisville's exhibition win over Union you could see the potential its defense had, but that wasn't great competition. 

Thursday was the best offensive team Louisville has played this season, even including a top-15 matchup against Arizona. Michigan entered the game, led by All-American Naz Hillman, averaging 69 points per game, shooting 41% from the field and turning the ball over just 15 times. 

Louisville, on the other hand, has been a terrific defensive team this season, giving up just 42.2 points per game. Defense had the upper hand on Thursday. 

The Cardinals forced 24 turnovers on Thursday and held Michigan to just 37% shooting from the field. In fact, Michigan scored just 15 points in the first half. 

The pressure Louisville places with on the perimeter was too much for Michigan's guards. It will be too much for a lot of teams this season if Louisville plays like that each game. 

Emily Engstler was the perfect offseason addition

It's hard to single out one person in this game, but it's also impossible not to recognize how good Engstler was and has been this season. 

She finished Thursday's game with 18 points, 14 rebounds and five steals. On the season she's averaging 9.7 points and 8.2 rebounds for the Cardinals and looks every bit of the all-conference player Louisville hoped she could be. 

Now, there were other players that impressed. Smith's jumper was falling from deep, but she also showed an ability to get the basket once Michigan closed out on her. She's expanded her offensive game. 

Still, Engstler was the person Louisville had to add this season. She has the versatility and toughness that fits this team's play style. 

A peek inside:How the Louisville basketball team sets expectations of success each year

Cards show they have no problem with physical contests

This game got a bit physical every and never calmed down until the second quarter. 

In two separate instances the referees called two intention fouls and then a double technical on the players on each team. There were words shared after a few plays, but Louisville didn't look flustered. 

When the intensity turned up the Cardinals answered back, while Michigan faltered. You don't want shoving and technical fouls, but it was a good sign to see this Louisville team, so early into finding its identity, play through that without getting too emotional. 

It found the perfect balance and put together its best performance of the season. 

Cameron Teague Robinson CTeagueRob@gannett.com; Twitter: @cj_teague;