LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — In a thrilling matchup during the WBCA Showcase, the No. 25 Louisville Cardinals narrowly defeated South Florida with a final score of 64-60, propelled by the efforts of Olivia Cochran and Imari Berry, who both tallied 13 points.

South Florida initially faced a tough battle, finding themselves down by 10 points at halftime. However, they came out strong in the second half, making a significant comeback to close the gap, bringing the score to 53-46 as they entered the fourth quarter. The Bulls surged forward with an impressive 8-0 run, ultimately taking a brief lead at 59-58 with just 1:48 left in the game.

The Cardinals regained the advantage thanks to a layup from Ja’Leah Williams. Jayda Curry proved to be instrumental in sealing the victory for Louisville, converting all four of her free-throw attempts down the stretch. In the final minute of play, Louisville’s defense was effective, limiting South Florida to two attempts — both of which they missed.

Curry contributed significantly to the win, finishing the game with 12 points. Meanwhile, South Florida’s scoring effort was led by Vittoria Blasigh, who netted 19 points, complemented by Carla Brito with 11 points and 10 rebounds, and Sammie Puisis who added 10 points.

South Florida initially controlled the game, showcasing their strength by jumping out to a 16-5 lead in the first quarter. However, Berry sparked a turnaround for Louisville by hitting three 3-pointers and a jumper, helping the Cardinals narrow the deficit to 21-18 by the end of the first quarter.

As the second quarter unfolded, Louisville established dominance, outscoring South Florida 15-3 over a six-minute stretch. Cochran was a key player during this period, scoring nine points that contributed to the Cardinals’ 39-29 lead at halftime.

This hard-fought victory improved Louisville’s season record to 4-2, while South Florida’s record fell to 4-3. The match showcased the intensity and skill present in women’s college basketball.