On December 14, 2025, the 22nd-ranked Louisville Cardinals dominated the 12th-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels in an overtime thriller, winning 76-66. The game was a showcase of Louisville's resilience and clutch performances, especially from Laura Ziegler and Elif Istanbulluoglu, who combined for 33 points. The Tar Heels, led by Taliyah Henderson's 13 points, struggled to keep up with Louisville's relentless offense in the extra period.
The turning point came in the final seconds of regulation. With the score tied at 66, Indya Nivar missed two crucial free throws for North Carolina, and Imari Berry secured the tie-breaker for Louisville with a timely foul shot. The Cardinals then went on an 11-0 run in overtime, outscoring the Tar Heels 10-0, with Skylar Jones and Berry contributing key baskets and free throws. Ziegler and Istanbulluoglu also shone, with Ziegler making 6 of 12 shots and Istanbulluoglu hitting 6 of 11, including two 3-pointers.
North Carolina, led by Henderson's 5-for-5 shooting and three 3-pointers, couldn't match Louisville's intensity. Cierra Toomey and Nyla Harris also contributed, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Cardinals' strong performance. The game was a testament to Louisville's ability to close out games and their defensive prowess, especially in the face of North Carolina's late-game pressure.
The victory marked a significant step in Louisville's ACC campaign, as they improved to 2-0 in conference play. The Tar Heels, on the other hand, dropped to 0-1. Louisville's next challenge awaits against Eastern Kentucky, while North Carolina hosts UNC Wilmington. This game will be a test of whether the Tar Heels can bounce back or if Louisville's momentum will continue.
