Louisville Survives Sloppy Start, Stays Perfect in ACC Play with Gritty Win
Let’s be honest - the first half wasn’t exactly a highlight reel. Neither Louisville nor Cal could find a consistent rhythm, and the scoreboard reflected it.
Louisville limped into halftime shooting just 14% from deep (1-for-7) but still managed to hold a narrow four-point lead. It wasn’t pretty, but it was enough to keep them in control.
Then came the second half, and with it, a different level of focus from the Cardinals. They tightened the screws on both ends of the floor, and for a stretch, looked like the team that’s now 11-0 in ACC play - their best start ever in conference action.
Still, Cal didn’t go quietly. In the fourth quarter, they sliced a double-digit deficit down to just six, threatening to flip the momentum.
But Louisville responded like a team that knows how to close. An 8-0 run slammed the door shut, and that was all she wrote. The Cards walked away with a statement win - not because it was dominant from start to finish, but because they found a way to win on a night when their offense never quite clicked.
Balanced Attack, Big Moments
What stood out in this one was Louisville’s balance. Different players stepped up at different times, and that depth ultimately made the difference.
Elif Istanbulluoglu was a warrior out there. She took hits, hit the floor more than once, but kept coming.
Her final line: 17 points, 7 boards, 4 assists - and a whole lot of toughness that doesn’t show up in the box score.
Tajianna Roberts looked like herself again, pouring in 21 points and playing with the kind of pace and confidence that fuels this team’s offense. Laura Ziegler chipped in 12 points and grabbed 5 rebounds, providing steady production in the frontcourt.
Head coach Jeff Walz summed it up well: “I thought it was a gutty game today. Cal played extremely well. They were physical on the defensive end and did a lot of really good things.”
Walz pointed to the third quarter as a turning point: “We finally started moving the basketball and sharing it. Offensively, we looked so much better. We scored 71 points tonight, and I still thought it was a poor offensive performance - which really shows you how good we could be.”
Elif’s Toughness, Taj’s Tempo
Walz had high praise for Elif’s effort: “She battled. She was down low getting beat up… she hit a huge three for us, big offensive rebounds, and an and-1. I was really happy for her.”
On Tajianna Roberts, he saw a player returning to form: “Her tempo - how she played, how she shot the ball - her shot was quicker, and she got into it faster. I was really excited for her.”
Next Up: A Heavyweight Showdown
Now comes the big one. Louisville heads back to the KFC Yum!
Center for a showdown with Duke - a matchup that’s shaping up to be one of the biggest games of the season. Both teams are 11-0 in the ACC, and with only one meeting on the schedule, this could be the game that decides the regular-season crown.
Coach Walz didn’t hold back in calling for fan support: “We need 13 to 14,000 in there. It’s gonna be great basketball. I’m hoping people will show up and give these kids the love and appreciation I think they really deserve.”
Tip-off is set for 7 PM, and the game will be broadcast on ESPN. If you're a fan of high-stakes college hoops, this is one you won’t want to miss.