The Louisville Cardinals women’s basketball team suffered a heartbreaking 65-68 loss to #10 Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the KFC Yum! Center today in front of a raucous crowd of 12000.
Hailey Van Lith led the way for Louisville with 23 points. Despite her struggles from the field, shooting just 6-of-21 and 1-of-6 from beyond the arc, she was a force to be reckoned with at the free-throw line, hitting an impressive 10-of-12 attempts. Her performance was a testament to her resilience, as she fought hard and played a major role in keeping the Cardinals in the game until the very end.
Olivia Cochran was another player who put in a solid shift for Louisville. She contributed 10 points and six rebounds, while shooting 2-of-7 from the field and 6-of-8 from the free-throw line. Cochran’s presence in the paint was a major factor for the Cardinals, as she battled hard and did her best to keep Notre Dame’s offense in check.
Mykasa Robinson, a senior guard, also had a strong game for Louisville. She filled up the stat sheet with six points, nine rebounds, and five assists, while also contributing three steals. Robinson was all over the court, making a significant impact on both ends of the floor. Her defensive prowess was especially crucial for the Cardinals, as she helped disrupt Notre Dame’s offensive flow and create turnovers.
Merissah Russell, a junior forward, was another player who put in a solid shift for Louisville. She scored 12 points, grabbed four rebounds, and made two steals, shooting 5-of-10 from the field and 2-of-4 from beyond the arc. Russell’s presence on the perimeter was key for the Cardinals, as she stretched the defense and made the most of her open looks from long range.
Despite these impressive individual performances, Louisville struggled with shooting efficiency throughout the game. The team shot just 34.5% from the field and 28.6% from beyond the arc, struggling to get their shots to fall. In addition, the team committed 15 turnovers, which allowed Notre Dame to score 17 points off of their mistakes.
The Cardinals’ defense and rebounding, however, were major factors in keeping the game close. The team grabbed 39 rebounds, including 16 offensive rebounds, which led to 13 second-chance points. The team’s defense also caused 10 points off turnovers, while their bench contributed 18 points.
Louisville is now 21-10 overall and 12-6 in ACC play as they prepare for the ACC tournament. Moving forward, the Cardinals will look to build on their solid individual performances and improve their shooting efficiency. With a talented roster and a determined mindset, they will continue to compete at a high level and make a strong push in the NCAA tournament.
