Louisville Holds Off Virginia in a Thrilling 68-65 Victory
Louisville opened the game with strong shooting and intense defense, building a 44-29 lead by halftime. The team dominated the first half with 22 rebounds, 12 assists, and 7 steals. Heading into the final quarter with a 62-45 advantage, the Cardinals looked poised for a comfortable win. However, their shooting went cold in the closing minutes, missing their final eight shots. Fortunately, Louisville’s defense held Virginia scoreless from the field in the last three minutes, securing a narrow victory.
Key Performances
- Jayda Curry: Scored 17 of her 19 points in the first half and added 8 assists.
- Nyla Harris: Contributed 15 points and 5 rebounds, with her hustle plays in the final moments proving crucial.
- Tajianna Roberts: Recorded 11 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals.
Coach Walz’s Reflections
Coach Jeff Walz praised Jayda Curry for her aggressive play and excellent passing:
“She really did a nice job for us. I thought she came out aggressive, and I was proud of her. That’s exactly what we need from her.”
Walz commended the team’s effort, especially their offensive rebounding, but highlighted areas for improvement:
“We’ve got to stop the dribble-drive. They scored 52 points in the paint—58 of their 65 points came from there. I’ve never seen anything like it. But we rebounded at an elite level, especially at the end when we couldn’t make a shot. That was key to cutting down their possessions.”
Looking Ahead
Louisville travels to Texas to face SMU next. The game is scheduled for 8 PM and will air on the ACC Network.
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