NC State doesn't survive, suffers heartbreaking loss to Louisville

Raleigh, N.C. -- The No. 23/22 Louisville Cardinals outlasted the NC State Wolfpack, 92-90 to improve to 6-0 in the ACC.

The Cardinals won the tip and started out hot taking a 7-2 lead. Myisha Hines-Allen drove to the basket for two; Arica Carter fired off a shot from beyond the arc, and Cortnee Walton added two of her own. But a foul sent Jennifer Mathurin to the line to shoot two, bringing the Wolfpack within three.

Arica Carter drove for two plus one and Durr laid it in to put the Cardinals back up 12-4. NC State got the ball in Mathurin's hands, and she banked a contested three. However, Asia Durr responded with a three of her own followed by a Mariya Moore jumper.

At the first media timeout, the Cardinals were perfect, connecting on 7-of-7 from the field, 2-of-2 from beyond the arc. Louisville took a fast a 17-10 lead. But the Wolfpack turned up the heat coming out of the media timeout. NC State's Mathurin fired off back to back shots from beyond the arc cutting Louisville's lead to four. The Wolfpack went on a 9-0 run to end the first period, outscoring the Cardinals 22-20.

The Wolfpack carried the momentum into the second period while the Cardinals tried to keep up. NC State struck first on a Chelsea Nelson layup, but Briahanna Jackson countered driving to the bucket for two.

A foul by Carlee Schuhmacher put the ball back in Louisville's possession setting up a Mariya Moore three with 7:34 remaining in the half. NC State's Jennifer Mathurin and Amber Richardson fired off back to back shots from beyond the arc, tying the game at 30.

The Wolfpack had two more players bank threes, Dominique Wilson and Ashley Williams, forcing a Louisville timeout at the 2:00 mark. NC State couldn't miss from beyond the arc, and the Cardinals couldn't buy a bucket. The Wolfpack took a 50-36 lead heading into the half.

The Wolfpack controlled the first half connecting on 61.5% from the field, and hitting 9-of-12 from beyond the arc. While the Cardinals shot a respectable 44.8% from the field, 57.1% from three.

Louisville went on a 6-0 run to start the third period sparked by jumpers from Mariya Moore and Briahanna Jackson. The Cardinals cut the lead to eight, but two quick fouls by Myisha Hines-Allen put the Wolfpack in the bonus and sent Miah Spencer to the line to shoot two. The Wolfpack connected on 10-of-13 from the charity stripe in the third period.

Every time the Cardinals would gain momentum, a foul would send the Wolfpack to the line and extend the NC State lead.

The Cardinals trailed 64-57 heading into the final period. Louisville fought their way back, connecting on 11-of-18 from the field and 6-10 from beyond the arc. The Wolfpack were up 90-85 with 25 seconds remaining in the contest. All hope seemed to be lost for the Cardinals.

But, freshman Asia Durr banked a three and Mariya Moore grabbed a steal and drew a foul to shoot two, tying the game at 90 with 17 seconds remaining. The game looked like it was going to head into overtime, but DD Rogers fouled Moore with 3 seconds remaining sending her to the line to shoot two. The Cardiac Cardinals handed the Wolfpack a heartbreaking loss at home, 92-90.

Louisville shot 50.8% from the field in the contest connecting on 32-of-63 and banking 12 three-pointers. While NC State shot 52% from the field, hitting 10 from beyond the arc. The Cardinals dominated the paint outscoring the Wolfpack 32-24. Louisville's defense forced 17 turnovers that the Cardinals turned into 32 points. However, the Wolfpack lived at the charity stripe connecting on 34-of-43.

The Cardinals had three players post double-digits: Mariya Moore paced Louisville connecting on 10-of-19 from the field, 3-of-8 from three and racking up a team-best 31 points. Moore dished out a team-high seven assists.

Asia Durr tallied 19 points connecting on a perfect 5-of-5 from beyond the arc while hitting 6-of-10 from the field. Arica Carter rounded out the top scorers adding 13 points including two from the three point line. Myisha Hines-Allen led the Cardinals in rebounding pulling down seven while putting up nine points.

The Cardiac Cardinals improve to 6-0 in the ACC and extend their streak to 11-consecutive w