LOUISVILLE, Ky. — In a thrilling matchup on Sunday, Trayanna Crisp made a significant impact for No. 9 North Carolina, scoring 19 points, which included a crucial jumper that put her team ahead with just 35 seconds on the clock. Freshman Lanie Grant also contributed impressively, matching Crisp’s total with a career-best 19 points. The Tar Heels secured a 79-75 comeback victory over Louisville.
The North Carolina team, holding a 25-4 overall record and a 13-3 standing in the Atlantic Coast Conference, found themselves in a challenging position early in the game. They were down by 12 points with only 2:25 remaining in the first quarter and faced a deficit for more than 36 minutes. Nevertheless, they rallied in the fourth quarter, shooting 80% from the field, and had a strong performance overall, hitting 68% of their shots (17 of 25) after halftime. This win marks the seventh consecutive victory for the Tar Heels.
In this game, North Carolina played without key player Alyssa Ustby, who was sidelined for the second time due to a knee injury sustained in a previous game against N.C. State. Senior Maria Gakdeng also encountered difficulties, falling out of the game with just 4:35 remaining.
Conversely, Louisville, with a record of 19-8 and 12-4 in the conference, started strong and maintained their lead early in the game. However, momentum shifted when Grant executed a remarkable four-point play with 2:28 left to play. Despite briefly regaining the lead twice, Louisville ultimately could not maintain control as North Carolina closed the game with a decisive six-point run.
Jayda Curry was the standout performer for the Cardinals, leading the team with 18 points.
Notable Observations: For North Carolina, Crisp and Grant rose to the occasion off the bench, compensating for Ustby’s absence, while Gakdeng’s fouling out put further strain on the team. On the Louisville side, despite an opportunity to clinch third place in the ACC and achieve a fourth straight win over a ranked opponent, their defense faltered in the second half, allowing the Tar Heels to score 50 points after the break.
Key Moments: In the final seconds, Louisville had two vital opportunities to either send the game into overtime or secure a win. However, Curry made a critical error with a turnover caused by a poor pass in the lane with just 10 seconds remaining. Additionally, she missed a crucial three-point attempt with only six seconds left on the clock.
Looking Ahead: North Carolina is set to face No. 11 Duke in their upcoming match on Thursday, whereas Louisville will be preparing to play their final home game against Clemson on the same day.
