No. 18/15 Cards Fall Short Against No. 4/5 Buckeyes in ACC/Big Ten Challenge

Wednesday, November 30

LOUISVILLE, KY

7:30 PM

University of Louisville

5-3,0-0ACC

#4/5 Ohio State

7-0,0-0Big Ten

Ohio St.

Louisville

No. 18/15 Cards Fall Short Against No. 4/5 Buckeyes in ACC/Big Ten Challenge

November 30, 2022 | Women's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Walz Presser Postgame Notes

By: Justice Steiner

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The No. 18/15 Louisville women's basketball team was defeated by No. 4/5 Ohio State 96-77 on Wednesday at the KFC Yum! Center. The contest marked the final ACC/Big Ten Challenge as the annual competition will be ending after 23 years.

Louisville (5-3) was led by Hailey Van Lith, who secured her third career double-double with 20 points, 10 rebounds and added three assists and a steal. Morgan Jones finished with 15 points, six rebounds and two steals, while Chrislyn Carr tallied 14 points, including four three-pointers.

The Buckeyes (7-0) were led by Taylor Mikesell, who scored a game-high 26 points, while Jacy Sheldon added 22 in the victory.

The Cards controlled most of the first half, getting out to an early first-quarter lead, going up 12-3 on the Buckeyes through four minutes of play, and forcing five turnovers during that stretch. OSU would tie the game 12-12 following the media timeout before Payton Verhulst hit a three-point shot from the left wing to halt the 9-0 Buckeye run. UofL went on to take a 25-18 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Louisville carried their momentum into the second quarter, as Van Lith hit a three-point shot from the right wing which capped a 10-0 run with 6:39 remaining in the half to give them a 14-point lead. Ohio State was able to trim the lead to eight heading into the half as the Cards led 45-37.

Out of the break, the Buckeyes were able to find momentum, going on an 11-0 run and cutting the Louisville lead to two, 50-48, forcing a timeout for the Cardinals. Nyla Harris put a stop to the OSU run on a fast break layup off a Van Lith assist. Ohio State was able to take a 65-63 lead heading into the final quarter of play.

After the Cardinals got the first bucket of the final quarter to tie the game, the Buckeyes scored 14 consecutive points. The run gave Ohio State a 79-65 lead and they took control for the remainder of the game.

The Cardinals will take on Middle Tennessee State Sunday at 5 p.m. in Murfreesboro, Tenn., and will be aired live on ESPN+.