In a thrilling finish to a tightly contested quarterfinal game of the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament on Thursday night, the Louisville Cardinals overcame Stanford with a dramatic shot by Chucky Hepburn. In the intense final seconds of the game, with the score tied, Hepburn managed to seize a loose ball and take a jump shot from the left elbow that cleared the net just as the buzzer sounded, securing a 75-73 victory for the Cardinals.
Reflecting on the shot, Hepburn said, “I just as the perfect spot at the perfect time.” Despite an earlier mistake that had nearly cost his team the game, Hepburn’s timely basket was enough to propel Louisville to the semifinals—an encouraging milestone for the team that has seen considerable improvements this season. After years of struggle that saw them lose 35 out of 40 ACC games in previous seasons, this win was especially momentous, marking their first semifinal appearance since joining the ACC.
This crucial play emerged from a dramatic sequence in the final minute. Louisville had just seen their three-point lead evaporate when Stanford’s Chisom Okpara intercepted a pass from Hepburn and went on to complete a three-point play, tying the score with a mere 32.5 seconds remaining. With the tension rising, Hepburn drove towards the goal and passed the ball to Terrence Edwards Jr., who, with limited time, took a contested three-point shot that ricocheted off the rim and into a hectic scramble beneath the basket.
Okpara managed to get hands on the rebound amid the mêlée, but in a rushed attempt to find an open outlet, the ball slipped away, landing serendipitously into Hepburn’s possession. The swift recovery and score left Stanford’s players stunned, particularly Okpara, who was left lying in disbelief on the court. Additionally, game officials swiftly reviewed the play to confirm that Hepburn’s shot had indeed beaten the clock.
“It was just like pop-a-shot,” Louisville coach Pat Kelsey recounted. “It left his hands and I knew it was going in. It was a little bit surreal.” Coach Kelsey’s team has come a long way from their past seasons’ woes, with Hepburn—a pivotal transfer from Wisconsin—playing a key role in this transformation. With their semifinal berth secured, Louisville is hoping to continue their resurgence and claim further victories in the ACC Tournament.
