Exciting Matchup in the ACC
In an exhilarating contest between two top-tier Atlantic Coast Conference teams, the 17th-ranked Duke Blue Devils edged out the sixth-ranked Louisville Cardinals with a narrow 59-58 victory on Thursday night in Louisville, Kentucky.
Key Performers
Toby Fournier was a standout for Duke, contributing 15 points and delivering a critical block that helped secure the win for his team. The match proved to be a fierce defensive showdown, as both teams struggled with their shooting percentages; Duke finished at 42.6% on 23 of 54 attempts, while Louisville experienced a tough night, hitting only 33.9% of their shots, making 21 of 62.
Game Highlights
The game had an explosive start, with Duke racing ahead to a staggering 16-1 lead, hitting their first seven shots. Fournier played a pivotal role during this surge, scoring eight points in that early stretch. Meanwhile, Louisville faced early struggles, missing their first nine attempts before finally getting on the scoreboard. Alongside Fournier, teammates Riley Nelson and Tania Mair each contributed 13 points, helping Duke extend their impressive winning streak to 14 games.
Second Half Comeback
Although Duke maintained a lead, the Cardinals attempted to fight back, reducing the gap to seven points in the second quarter and later to three points in the third. With just over a quarter left, Louisville managed to take its first lead of the game, courtesy of a 3-pointer from Laura Ziegler just over a minute into the fourth period. However, the Blue Devils responded quickly with an 11-1 run, pulling ahead 57-50 with 3:57 remaining on the clock.
Nail-Biting Finish
As the game approached its conclusion, Louisville, which was looking to maintain their 14-game winning streak, battled back. Elif Istanbulluoglu‘s layup further narrowed the score to 59-57 with just over a minute to play. After a further attempt from Berry to equalize with a 3-pointer was denied by Fournier’s acrobatic block, Duke’s defense held firm. In a frantic final sequence, Ziegler snagged the ball and raced down the court with Berry, forcing Duke’s Nelson to foul to thwart a potential game-tying layup.
Final Thoughts
Istanbulluoglu led Louisville with 13 points, while Ziegler and Reyna Scott contributed 11 each. This nail-biting finish highlighted the intense rivalry and competitive spirit in the Atlantic Coast Conference, with Duke and Louisville firmly establishing themselves as top contenders this season.
