The University of Louisville women’s basketball team put up a spirited fight in a closely contested game against Team Canada on Thursday night at the Mattamy Athletic Centre. Despite a feverous comeback in the final minute, the Cardinals fell just short, losing to the hosts with a final score of 74-71. Louisville found themselves down by eight points with less than two minutes remaining but unleashed a relentless press that brought them within three points with 12.8 seconds on the clock. Unfortunately, Jayda Curry’s potential game-tying three-pointer rimmed out, and Canada emerged with a narrow victory.
Kiki Jefferson led all scorers in the game, demonstrating her scoring prowess with 19 points on an efficient 6-of-9 shooting. She also contributed four rebounds and four assists to the Cardinals’ effort. Nyla Harris was a force on the boards, leading Louisville with 11 rebounds and adding 11 points to secure a double-double. Olivia Cochran also made an impact, scoring 15 points and grabbing seven rebounds.
Both teams started the game with an up-tempo pace, pushing the ball on offense. At the first media timeout, both teams were shooting an impressive 75 percent from the field, with the Cardinals holding a slim 10-7 lead. However, Louisville’s shooting cooled off in the second half of the quarter, and they found themselves trailing 25-20 at the end of the opening period.
The Cardinals faced a seven-point deficit early in the second quarter but responded with a 6-0 run. Cochran started the surge with an offensive rebound and putback, followed by Harris converting another offensive rebound into a layup. The Cardinals then broke Canada’s press, and Jefferson finished at the rim to pull the Cards within one. Louisville regained the lead after Eylia Love made two free throws, entering halftime with a 39-35 advantage.
Harris and Jefferson both led the team with nine points in the first half. Harris showcased her rebounding prowess with four boards, while Jefferson and Curry each recorded three assists. The Cardinals dominated the boards, outrebounding their opponents 24-17 and converting six offensive rebounds into eight second-chance points.
In the second half, Canada fought back and took their first lead of the half with 4:40 remaining in the third quarter. The lead changed hands several times in the closing minutes, with Canada holding a slim 51-50 lead heading into the final quarter.
Canada started the fourth quarter strong, building an eight-point lead. However, the resilient Cardinals fought back. Jefferson knocked down her third three-pointer of the night, reducing the deficit to five. But the Cardinals couldn’t close the gap until the final minute. Energized by a full-court press, Louisville brought it within three points after Harris made a layup with less than 20 seconds remaining. A subsequent trap and steal gave the Cardinals a chance to tie the game with 12.8 seconds left, but Curry’s potential game-tying three-pointer agonizingly rattled in and out, and Canada held on for the win.
The Cardinals will have a day off before returning to action on Saturday, July 15, for their final game of the group stage. They will face the Basketball Africa League Select team at 11 a.m. ET, with the game being streamed live on YouTube and the team’s Twitter account. Louisville aims to bounce back and secure a victory in their last group stage matchup.
