Louisville defeats Alabama, advances to Sweet 16

Elif Istanbulluoglu's 18 points and late steal help Louisville hold off Alabama

Mar. 24, 2026 at 5:55am

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In a close matchup, the Louisville Cardinals defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide to secure a spot in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Sweet 16. Elif Istanbulluoglu led Louisville with 18 points and made a crucial steal in the final minutes to help seal the victory.

Why it matters

This win marks an important milestone for the Louisville program as they continue their quest for a national championship. The game was a hard-fought battle between two talented teams, showcasing the excitement and unpredictability of the NCAA Tournament.

The details

Louisville and Alabama traded leads throughout the game, with neither team able to pull away. Istanbulluoglu's 18 points, along with timely contributions from his teammates, proved to be the difference. His steal in the final minutes prevented Alabama from tying the game and allowed Louisville to hold on for the victory.

  • The game was played on March 24, 2026.

The players

Elif Istanbulluoglu

A key player for the Louisville Cardinals, Istanbulluoglu scored 18 points and made a crucial steal late in the game to help his team secure the victory.

Louisville Cardinals

The men's basketball team from the University of Louisville, who defeated Alabama to advance to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

Alabama Crimson Tide

The men's basketball team from the University of Alabama, who fell to Louisville in a close game in the NCAA Tournament.

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What they’re saying

“Our team showed a lot of heart and determination tonight. We knew it was going to be a tough battle, but we were able to make the plays we needed to come out on top.”

— Elif Istanbulluoglu, Louisville Player

What’s next

Louisville will now face the winner of the matchup between Gonzaga and UCLA in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

This victory showcases the resilience and talent of the Louisville Cardinals, who were able to hold off a tough Alabama team and secure their spot in the Sweet 16. The tournament is shaping up to be an exciting one, with many more thrilling matchups to come.