Cardinals Fall to No. 3 Notre Dame, 89-71

Sunday, February 2

LOUISVILLE, KY

12 PM

University of Louisville

15-7,8-3ACC

#3 Notre Dame

19-2,10-0ACC

Notre Dame

Louisville

February 02, 2025 | Women's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Walz Postgame Presser

Tajianna Roberts led the way with 17 points and four threes

By: Anthony Acquisto

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Louisville women's basketball team (15-7, 8-3 ACC) struggled in the second half and fell short against #3 Notre Dame (19-2, 10-0 ACC), 89-71, Sunday afternoon at the KFC Yum! Center. The Cards kept the game close with a strong second quarter, but despite shooting 44 percent from three and forcing the Fighting Irish to commit 23 turnovers, Notre Dame's season high, the game got away from them in the second half and they struggled to contain the Irish, who remain unbeaten since November.

Tajianna Roberts led the Cards with 17 points, scoring 14 in the first half. Olivia Cochran added 14 points and four rebounds down low, and Jayda Curry contributed 12 points and a season-high five steals in the effort.

Notre Dame's size gave Louisville trouble early in the first quarter. The Cards failed to pull down a rebound by the first media timeout, trailing 14-6. The Irish stretched their lead to 20-6 before Louisville forced key Notre Dame turnovers and scored seven straight. Nyla Harris and Cochran each scored five points in the opening quarter, but the Cards trailed 22-13 after 10 minutes.

After a quick three by the Irish to open the second quarter, Roberts scored eight consecutive points, including two three-pointers, in under a minute to bring Louisville within four. The Cards matched Notre Dame's offense and continued to force turnovers as the midway point of the quarter approached. Curry hit two free throws after an intentional foul was called on the Irish, and Roberts' third three of the quarter put the Cards ahead 29-28, their first lead of the game, with just under five minutes remaining in the half. Louisville and Notre Dame traded the lead down the stretch and the Cards trailed by one going into the half.

Louisville outscored Notre Dame 25-17 in the second quarter, with Roberts contributing 11 points in the period. The Cards forced 13 first-half turnovers by the Irish, who came in averaging 15.1 per game on the season. Louisville went 4-7 from three in the quarter and held Notre Dame to just five total second-quarter field goals. Cochran also finished the first half in double-figures for Louisville with 10 points.

The fight remained close as the game entered the second half. The Irish controlled the lead for the first few minutes of the quarter, but the Cards kept their deficit within one possession and trailed by just three at the third media timeout. Notre Dame went on a 7-1 run out of the break to pull their lead out to nine at 57-48, and a Sonia Citron baseline jumper at the buzzer gave the Irish a 65-54 lead to close the third quarter.

Notre Dame stepped on the gas in the fourth quarter and stretched their lead out to 19 with just over five minutes to play. The Irish led by as many as 21 as they ran away with the game late in the fourth. Notre Dame outscored Louisville 50-33 in the second half to finish off an 89-71 win.

The Cards continue their homestand with a matchup against #19 California on Thursday, February 6. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on ACC Network.