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FORT WORTH, TX — The Louisville women's basketball bench seemed to be a stark contrast from the players on the court.
The sideline yelled, cheered and gave instructions. It projected an energy level that, unfortunately for the Cards (29-8), didn't translate on the floor. Third-seeded Louisville's lethargic level of play led to a 71-52 Sweet 16 loss to second-seeded Michigan (28-6) on Saturday at Dickies Arena.
Despite going up by as many as 11 points in the first half, Louisville faded. The longer the game went, the bigger Michigan's lead grew, resulting in the Cards' lowest scoring performance of the season while committing 17 turnovers. They found a small spark in the final minutes of the game as head coach Jeff Walz called for tempo. But it wasn't enough to stop their season from ending.
Here are three takeaways from the Cardinals’ Elite Eight loss to Michigan:
Even on the road and in the postseason, Louisville couldn’t avoid its habit of having one bad quarter – the second quarter, in particular. The trend continued against Michigan as the Cardinals saw its 11-point lead (25-14) midway through the second quarter change to a five-point deficit six minutes later.
UofL had three turnovers but only one made field goal in the final six minutes of the frame. Michigan capitalized with a 16-0 run. The Wolverines took their first lead of the day, 28-25, at the 1:59 mark on a 3-point play.
Michigan outscored Louisville, 23-12, in the second quarter to pocket the 32-27 halftime advantage.
Forward Elif Istanbulluoglu was UofL’s spark to start the Sweet 16 contest, totaling 18 points and seven rebounds. She scored the team’s first five points then picked off a Michigan pass, which Imari Berry converted into the team’s 7-0 early lead.
Istanbulluoglu ended the Cardinals’ second-quarter scoring drought then opened the third quarter with by forcing a turnover, notching a 3-point play then drawing a foul. Her efforts helped the Cardinals regain the lead, which eventually came via a 4-0 run from Mackenly Randolph for the 38-37 score.
Michigan killed Louisville on effort plays. Anytime the ball came off the rim, the Wolverines were all over it. They kept the Cardinals off the boards and outreboundeded them, 41-33. Although both teams had eight offensive rebounds heading into the fourth quarter, the difference was that Michigan had 10 second-chance points. Louisville had five. That allowed the Wolverines to shoot 51% from the field after the first three quarters and build their largest lead of the day, 57-40.
Reach Louisville football, women's basketball and baseball beat writer Alexis Cubit at [email protected] and follow her on X at @Alexis_Cubit.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville vs Michigan Sweet 16 score, UofL WBB out of March Madness
Continue reading...
The sideline yelled, cheered and gave instructions. It projected an energy level that, unfortunately for the Cards (29-8), didn't translate on the floor. Third-seeded Louisville's lethargic level of play led to a 71-52 Sweet 16 loss to second-seeded Michigan (28-6) on Saturday at Dickies Arena.
Despite going up by as many as 11 points in the first half, Louisville faded. The longer the game went, the bigger Michigan's lead grew, resulting in the Cards' lowest scoring performance of the season while committing 17 turnovers. They found a small spark in the final minutes of the game as head coach Jeff Walz called for tempo. But it wasn't enough to stop their season from ending.
Here are three takeaways from the Cardinals’ Elite Eight loss to Michigan:
The curse of the second quarter
Even on the road and in the postseason, Louisville couldn’t avoid its habit of having one bad quarter – the second quarter, in particular. The trend continued against Michigan as the Cardinals saw its 11-point lead (25-14) midway through the second quarter change to a five-point deficit six minutes later.
UofL had three turnovers but only one made field goal in the final six minutes of the frame. Michigan capitalized with a 16-0 run. The Wolverines took their first lead of the day, 28-25, at the 1:59 mark on a 3-point play.
Michigan outscored Louisville, 23-12, in the second quarter to pocket the 32-27 halftime advantage.
Elif Istanbulluoglu takes over for Louisville
Forward Elif Istanbulluoglu was UofL’s spark to start the Sweet 16 contest, totaling 18 points and seven rebounds. She scored the team’s first five points then picked off a Michigan pass, which Imari Berry converted into the team’s 7-0 early lead.
Istanbulluoglu ended the Cardinals’ second-quarter scoring drought then opened the third quarter with by forcing a turnover, notching a 3-point play then drawing a foul. Her efforts helped the Cardinals regain the lead, which eventually came via a 4-0 run from Mackenly Randolph for the 38-37 score.
Michigan beats Louisville on boards
Michigan killed Louisville on effort plays. Anytime the ball came off the rim, the Wolverines were all over it. They kept the Cardinals off the boards and outreboundeded them, 41-33. Although both teams had eight offensive rebounds heading into the fourth quarter, the difference was that Michigan had 10 second-chance points. Louisville had five. That allowed the Wolverines to shoot 51% from the field after the first three quarters and build their largest lead of the day, 57-40.
Reach Louisville football, women's basketball and baseball beat writer Alexis Cubit at [email protected] and follow her on X at @Alexis_Cubit.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville vs Michigan Sweet 16 score, UofL WBB out of March Madness
Continue reading...
