CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — In a statement-making performance that echoed across the Atlantic Coast Conference, No. 22 Louisville delivered a stunning overtime victory against No. 12 North Carolina, silencing the Dean E. Smith Center with a 76–66 win in the Tar Heels’ ACC opener on Sunday night. What began as a tightly contested battle transformed into a showcase of poise, depth, and defensive dominance by the Cardinals when it mattered most.
Louisville (10-3, 2-0 ACC) completely took control in overtime, shutting out North Carolina 10–0 in the extra period to seal one of its most impressive wins of the season. The victory not only strengthened Louisville’s conference standing but also sent a clear message that the Cardinals are a serious contender in the ACC race.
Laura Ziegler led the charge for Louisville with a strong all-around performance, scoring 17 points on 6-of-12 shooting, including three 3-pointers, while also pulling down eight rebounds. Elif Istanbulluoglu was equally impactful, adding 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting with two shots from beyond the arc. The Cardinals’ balanced attack and bench production proved decisive against a ranked opponent on the road.
The game’s turning point came at the end of regulation. North Carolina (9-3, 0-1 ACC) had a golden opportunity to secure the win when Indya Nivar stepped to the free-throw line with five seconds remaining and the Tar Heels clinging to a narrow lead. But Nivar missed both attempts, opening the door for Louisville. Imari Berry capitalized, calmly knocking down the second of two free throws with less than a second left to tie the game at 66 and force overtime.
From that moment on, it was all Louisville.
Skylar Jones and Berry ignited the Cardinals in the extra session, each scoring a basket and converting two free throws as Louisville raced to a perfect 10-point overtime. North Carolina, meanwhile, struggled to generate offense, committing turnovers and missing shots against Louisville’s aggressive defense. The Tar Heels did not score a single point in overtime, a testament to the Cardinals’ composure and defensive intensity.
Berry finished with 13 points and seven rebounds off the bench, providing crucial energy and clutch execution. Jones, also a reserve, scored eight points total, with half of them coming in overtime. Tajianna Roberts added 11 points and four steals, consistently disrupting North Carolina’s rhythm, while Louisville’s bench outscored the Tar Heels’ reserves and played a vital role down the stretch.
Louisville set the tone early, leading 26–24 after the first quarter and taking a 38–33 advantage into halftime. The Cardinals’ ability to maintain control while weathering North Carolina’s runs proved critical throughout the contest.
North Carolina briefly seized momentum early in the third quarter when Elina Aamisalo capped a 7–0 run with a jumper, giving the Tar Heels their first lead at 40–38. However, Louisville responded emphatically with an 11–0 run of its own, reclaiming control and heading into the fourth quarter with a 56–51 lead.
The Tar Heels refused to go quietly. Reserve Taliyah Henderson delivered a spark off the bench, leading North Carolina with 13 points on a flawless 5-for-5 shooting performance, including three clutch 3-pointers. Her back-to-back triples late in the fourth quarter gave North Carolina a 64–63 lead with 1:08 remaining and reignited the home crowd.
Cierra Toomey contributed 12 points and eight rebounds, while Nyla Harris narrowly missed a double-double with 11 points and nine boards. Nivar and Lanie Grant each added 10 points, but the Tar Heels struggled at the free-throw line and in late-game execution — issues that ultimately proved costly.
Despite North Carolina’s late surge, Louisville’s resilience shone through. The Cardinals stayed composed in the final seconds of regulation, capitalized on free throws, and then delivered a flawless overtime performance on both ends of the floor.
For North Carolina, the loss marked a frustrating start to ACC play and underscored the fine margins that separate victory from defeat at the highest level. For Louisville, the win represented more than just another ranked victory — it was a declaration of toughness, depth, and confidence.
As conference play intensifies, Louisville’s overtime shutout in Chapel Hill will be remembered as a defining moment early in the ACC season — one that proved the Cardinals are built for pressure, primed for big stages, and ready to soar.
