Cardinals Triumph Over Tar Heels with Strong Free Throw Performance
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Chucky Hepburn played a pivotal role in leading Louisville to an impressive 83-70 victory against North Carolina on Wednesday evening, showcasing his skills at the free-throw line by converting 16 of his 20 attempts, including a perfect seven of seven in the final three minutes of the game. Hepburn’s overall contribution of 26 points was critical as he seized control during the last crucial moments of the match.
The game saw Hepburn’s remarkable performance accelerate in the last nine minutes, during which he scored 13 points, ensuring that the Cardinals maintained a significant edge. North Carolina had managed to cut an 11-point deficit to just one and even tied the game at one stage. With the score at 70-69, Hepburn was fouled while attempting a three-pointer, and his free-throw success sparked a commanding 12-0 run for the Cardinals.
Reyne Smith added momentum with a crucial three-pointer, while James Scott electrified the crowd with a dunk after securing an offensive rebound. Hepburn capped off the decisive run with four additional free throws, pushing the score to 82-69 with just 40 seconds remaining. In contrast, North Carolina struggled during this phase, with four missed attempts, including a block by Scott, and a turnover, which hindered their comeback efforts.
Off the bench, Smith contributed 17 points for Louisville (9-5, 2-1 Atlantic Coast Conference), continuing an impressive performance streak. Scott supported the team with 11 points and eight rebounds, while J’Vonne Hadley chipped in 10 points alongside seven boards. For North Carolina (8-6, 1-1), Ian Jackson was the standout scorer with 23 points, while Drake Powell added 14 points and RJ Davis tallied 12.
Louisville maintained a six-point lead at halftime and extended it to 51-40 shortly after the break with a three-pointer from Khani Rooths. As the match progressed, the Tar Heels made a comeback, scoring eight consecutive points to narrow the gap to 59-58. However, Hepburn halted the momentum by converting two free throws. Although Jackson responded with a tie from beyond the arc, Smith quickly answered back with a three-pointer of his own, keeping Louisville in control.
Despite being briefly ahead for only 24 seconds during the contest, the Cardinals managed to stay strong throughout the first half. The Tar Heels initially took the lead with Cade Tyson’s three-pointer, making it 15-13, before the Cardinals reclaimed the advantage by scoring seven unanswered points, marking the most significant run of the half.
Looking ahead, Louisville will face Virginia, while North Carolina will take on Notre Dame this Saturday.
