Michigan Rolls Past Louisville to Reach Elite Eight

Wolverines overcome slow start, dominate second half to advance in NCAA Tournament

Mar. 28, 2026 at 7:41pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting in shades of blue, orange, and purple, depicting the dynamic action and movement of a women's college basketball game in an abstract, deconstructed style.Michigan's relentless second-half surge overwhelms Louisville's defense in a cubist deconstruction of the NCAA Tournament clash.Louisville Today

Second-seeded Michigan overcame an early 8-0 deficit and pulled away in the second half for a 72-51 victory over third-seeded Louisville in a Fort Worth 3 regional semifinal of the NCAA Tournament. Olivia Olson scored 19 points, including 8 in the third quarter, to lead the Wolverines, who reached the second Elite Eight in program history.

Why it matters

Michigan's victory over Louisville marks the Wolverines' deepest NCAA Tournament run since 2013, as they seek their first-ever Final Four berth. The loss ends Louisville's season after the Cardinals made their 15th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.

The details

Michigan overcame a slow start, missing its first six shots, before finding its rhythm and outscoring Louisville 18-2 to end the first half. The Wolverines then took control in the third quarter, scoring 23 of 27 points during one stretch to pull away. Syla Swords added 16 points for Michigan, which shot 46.7% from the floor overall and a blistering 61.3% in the second and third quarters. Elif Istanbulluoglu led Louisville with 18 points, but the Cardinals shot just 35.4% overall and 21.4% from 3-point range.

  • Michigan and Louisville faced off on Saturday, March 28, 2026 in a Fort Worth 3 regional semifinal of the NCAA Tournament.
  • Michigan trailed 25-14 with 6:53 remaining in the first half before closing the half on an 18-2 run.

The players

Olivia Olson

A sophomore guard who led Michigan with 19 points, including 8 in the pivotal third quarter.

Syla Swords

A junior forward who scored 16 points for the Wolverines.

Elif Istanbulluoglu

A senior guard who led Louisville with 18 points and 7 rebounds in the losing effort.

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What they’re saying

“We knew we had to regroup and settle in after that slow start. Once we found our rhythm, I thought we really took control of the game.”

— Olivia Olson, Michigan Guard

“It's disappointing to see our season end, but I'm proud of the way our team battled all year to make it this far. We just couldn't overcome Michigan's second-half surge.”

— Elif Istanbulluoglu, Louisville Guard

What’s next

Michigan will face the winner of Texas and Kentucky on Monday in the Elite Eight, with a chance to advance to the program's first-ever Final Four.

The takeaway

Michigan's resilient comeback and dominant second-half performance showcased the Wolverines' depth and ability to adjust, as they continue their deepest NCAA Tournament run in nearly a decade. For Louisville, the loss ends a strong season but also marks the end of an era, with several key seniors departing.