In a nail-biting showdown at Chapel Hill, No. 24 Louisville couldn't quite overcome a cold streak, falling to No.
16 North Carolina 77-74. Despite a hot start, the Cardinals faced a 16-point deficit that proved insurmountable.
Louisville now stands at 20-8 overall and 9-6 in ACC play, while North Carolina improves to 22-6 and 10-5.
Postgame, Louisville's head coach Pat Kelsey reflected on the game, emphasizing his team's resilience. "Being 16 down and battling back is something to hang our hats on," Kelsey noted.
"We turned it into a one-possession game at the end. No moral victories, but the grit and fight were there."
Louisville was chasing just its second-ever win at the Smith Center against a Tar Heel squad unbeaten at home this season. The Cardinals initially looked poised for a rare road win, jumping out to a 10-point lead, fueled by sharp three-point shooting. However, as their shooting cooled, North Carolina clawed back, taking a 39-38 lead by halftime.
The second half saw Louisville struggle to find the basket, not scoring a field goal until Ryan Conwell’s layup with 13:03 remaining. The Tar Heels extended their lead to 16 before Louisville's offense reignited.
A spirited 9-0 run cut the deficit to seven with 10:29 left, and the Cardinals edged within two points with just two seconds on the clock, but time ran out on their rally.
Mikel Brown Jr. led Louisville with 24 points, while Ryan Conwell added 23, and J'Vonne Hadley contributed 14.
The Cardinals showed heart and determination, but ultimately, the early shooting woes were too much to overcome against a formidable North Carolina team.