Louisville Women Triumph Over North Carolina in Overtime Victory

No. 22 Louisville pulled off a thrilling overtime win against No. 12 North Carolina, grabbing a 76-66 victory in the Tar Heels’ ACC opener. The game took place on Sunday and turned into a tense battle, with Louisville dominating the extra period and outscoring North Carolina 10-0 in overtime.

Laura Ziegler, Elif Istanbulluoglu, and Imari Berry led the way for the Cardinals. North Carolina struggled with free throws at crucial moments and couldn’t quite close things out in the end.

Key Performances and Game Highlights

Both teams showed off plenty of talent and grit. Laura Ziegler paced Louisville with 17 points, shooting 6-for-12, including three 3-pointers, and snagged eight rebounds.

Elif Istanbulluoglu chipped in 16 points, hitting 6 of 11 shots with two threes. Imari Berry came off the bench to add 13 points and seven rebounds, and her late free throw forced the game into overtime.

Louisville’s Dominance in Overtime

Overtime was all Louisville. The Cardinals put up 10 unanswered points, with Skylar Jones and Imari Berry each sinking a basket and two free throws.

Louisville just looked sharper and more composed when it mattered most.

North Carolina’s Struggles

North Carolina had its chances but stumbled late. Indya Nivar missed two crucial free throws with five seconds left in regulation—those could’ve iced the game for the Tar Heels.

Taliyah Henderson led UNC with 13 points, going a perfect 5-for-5, including three 3-pointers. Cierra Toomey and Nyla Harris also pitched in, but Louisville’s late push proved too much.

Game Progression and Key Moments

Momentum swung back and forth all afternoon. Louisville led 26-24 after the first quarter and stretched it to 38-33 by halftime.

North Carolina came out strong in the third, with Elina Aarnisalo capping a 7-0 run and giving the Tar Heels their first lead at 40-38.

Louisville’s Response

Louisville answered right back with an 11-0 run, grabbing control and leading 56-51 going into the fourth. The final quarter was wild, with Henderson drilling back-to-back threes to put UNC up 64-63 with just over a minute left.

Berry then hit a clutch free throw to tie things at 66, sending the game into overtime.

Final Push in Overtime

In overtime, Louisville’s defense locked in while their offense stayed steady. The Cardinals shut out North Carolina and closed it out, 76-66.

Looking Ahead

Louisville now stands at 10-3 overall and 2-0 in the ACC. They’ll host Eastern Kentucky on Wednesday, hoping to keep the momentum rolling.

North Carolina drops to 9-3 and 0-1 in conference play, and they’re set to host UNC Wilmington the same day.

It’s shaping up to be a wild season in women’s college basketball. Louisville looks confident under pressure, and North Carolina’s got room to grow—should be fun to watch what happens next.

Conclusion

Louisville pulled off an overtime win against North Carolina—what a wild finish. The Cardinals showed a ton of grit and skill out there.

Ziegler, Istanbulluoglu, and Berry all had moments that really stood out. Louisville proved they can hang with the top teams.

North Carolina lost, but they had some pretty great plays too. They’ll probably take a lot from this game and come back stronger.