Michigan Storms Past Louisville, Reaches Second Elite Eight

Wolverines' dominant second-half runs propel them to victory over Cardinals.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 6:40pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the dynamic action of a women's college basketball game, with overlapping angular shapes in shades of yellow, blue, and red conveying the intensity and energy of the competition.Michigan's second-half surge propels the Wolverines to a hard-fought victory over Louisville and a spot in the Elite Eight.Louisville Today

The No. 2 seed Michigan Wolverines overcame a slow start to defeat the No. 3 seed Louisville Cardinals 71-52 in the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament Fort Worth Regional semifinal. Michigan closed the second quarter on an 18-2 run to take a halftime lead, then pulled away in the third quarter with a 20-2 surge to advance to their second-ever Elite Eight appearance.

Why it matters

Michigan's victory over Louisville marks the program's second trip to the Elite Eight, a significant milestone for the Wolverines as they continue to establish themselves as a national power in women's college basketball. The win also showcases the team's resilience and ability to make crucial in-game adjustments.

The details

After a sluggish start that saw Michigan go over six minutes without scoring, the Wolverines found their rhythm in the second quarter. Led by sophomore Te'Yala Delfosse's eight points, Michigan closed the half on an 18-2 run to take a 35-30 lead into the break. In the third quarter, the Wolverines pulled away with a 20-2 surge, turning a tied game into a 17-point advantage they would not relinquish.

  • Michigan went over six minutes without scoring to start the game.
  • Michigan closed the second quarter on an 18-2 run.
  • Michigan scored 20 of the third quarter's final 22 points.

The players

Olivia Olson

A sophomore guard who led Michigan with 18 points.

Syla Swords

A sophomore guard who scored 17 points for the Wolverines.

Te'Yala Delfosse

A sophomore who scored 10 points, including 8 in the pivotal second quarter run.

Elif Istanbulluoglu

The Louisville center who led the Cardinals with 18 points.

Kim Barnes Arico

The head coach of the Michigan Wolverines.

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What they’re saying

“We knew we had to weather that early storm, and then our kids really settled in and started playing Michigan basketball.”

— Kim Barnes Arico, Michigan Head Coach

What’s next

Michigan will face the winner of the other Fort Worth Regional semifinal between No. 1 seed South Carolina and No. 5 seed UCLA in the Elite Eight on Monday, March 30.

The takeaway

Michigan's resilience and ability to make in-game adjustments were on full display as they rallied from an early deficit to defeat Louisville and advance to the Elite Eight for the second time in program history. The Wolverines' talented sophomore class continues to lead the way, positioning the team as a rising power in women's college basketball.