Most of Louisville’s losses this season were by just a few points so the question loomed could they finally finish when it counted. Today they proved that they could at the most important time and earned themselves a trip to the Sweet Sixteen.
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Elif Istanbulluoglu led the Cards with a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds. Tajianna Roberts also had 18 points and 4 assists. Laura Ziegler stepped up big at both ends of the floor and had 12 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocked shots. Coach Walz said, “What a basketball game by Taj, E and Laura, the three here. Just really proud of them. And then Mac, [Mackenly Randolph] seven offensive boards again. Just absolutely an unbelievable effort. Just excited to still be playing with this group.”
After her final game in the Yum Center Laura said, “Transferring is difficult; you want to get it right. I had one last time, and I think I got so focused on trying to find a perfect match, which is difficult, but I think…. I ended up in the right place in my last year. I’ve learned so much this year. I’ve grown so much. I’ve had all the right people around me to do so. So I’m just extremely grateful for all my four years, but this year it’s been amazing.“
Coach Walz talked about having Laura as a transfer, “We’re all grateful. Believe me it’s been some ups and downs, but if you’re trying to coach someone and help them reach the goals that they want to reach, it’s not always just smiles and hugs. Sometimes you have to challenge them, and Laura, I can’t say she wanted me to all the time, but I think we both have grown a ton. I’ve got a tremendous amount of respect for her, not just the way she plays the game but the work she has put into it and then the growth that she’s made because she’s going to have an opportunity to have a career after this.”
Tajianna said, “I think this is my first time going to the Sweet 16, all of our first times, so I think the feeling of, we’re still dancing, we’re still playing basketball, it’s a great feeling. I think it’s just so special, and for us to do it in front of such a great fan base, I think that was amazing, as well.”
FEELIN’ SWEET‼️#GoCardspic.twitter.com/iJycOb8lhP
— Louisville Women’s Basketball (@LouisvilleWBB) March 23, 2026
For the love of the game ❤️ pic.twitter.com/fPJyQpOACn
— ACC Network (@accnetwork) March 23, 2026
CARDNATION.. YALL WERE WITH US EVERY STEP OF THE WAY !! WE DONT WIN THIS WITHOUT YALL ❤️❤️😮💨 https://t.co/vzq4fw2K52
— J Pineda 🇧🇸&🇨🇴 (@CoachJPineda24) March 23, 2026