FORT WORTH, TX — The Louisville women’s basketball bench seemed to be a stark contrast from the players on the court.
The sideline yelled, cheered and gave instructions. It projected an energy level that, unfortunately for the Cards (29-8), didn’t translate to the floor. Third-seeded Louisville’s lethargic play led to a 71-52 Sweet 16 loss to second-seeded Michigan (28-6) on Saturday at Dickies Arena.
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Despite going up by as many as 11 points in the first half, Louisville faded. The longer the game went, the bigger Michigan’s lead grew, resulting in the Cards’ lowest-scoring performance of the season as the offense committed 17 turnovers. They found a small spark in the final minutes of the game as head coach Jeff Walz called for tempo. But it wasn’t enough to stop their season from ending.
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Louisville women’s basketball plays Michigan in NCAA Sweet 16
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 28: Elif Istanbulluoglu #11 of the Louisville Cardinals reacts during the first quarter against the Michigan Wolverines in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Dickies Arena on March 28, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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Louisville women’s basketball plays Michigan in NCAA Sweet 16
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 28: Elif Istanbulluoglu #11 of the Louisville Cardinals reacts during the first quarter against the Michigan Wolverines in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Dickies Arena on March 28, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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Louisville women’s basketball plays Michigan in NCAA Sweet 16
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 28: Olivia Olson #1 of the Michigan Wolverines defends against Laura Ziegler #0 of the Louisville Cardinals during the first quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Dickies Arena on March 28, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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Louisville women’s basketball plays Michigan in NCAA Sweet 16
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 28: Anaya Hardy #9 of the Louisville Cardinals battles Brooke Q. Daniels #5 of the Michigan Wolverines for the ball during the first quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Dickies Arena on March 28, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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Louisville women’s basketball plays Michigan in NCAA Sweet 16
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 28: Syla Swords #12 of the Michigan Wolverines drives to the basket defended by Tajianna Roberts #22 of the Louisville Cardinals during the first quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Dickies Arena on March 28, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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Louisville women’s basketball plays Michigan in NCAA Sweet 16
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 28: Laura Ziegler #0 of the Louisville Cardinals shoots the ball against Olivia Olson #1 of the Michigan Wolverines during the first quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Dickies Arena on March 28, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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Louisville women’s basketball plays Michigan in NCAA Sweet 16
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 28: Mila Holloway #3 of the Michigan Wolverines defends against Elif Istanbulluoglu #11 of the Louisville Cardinals during the first quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Dickies Arena on March 28, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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Louisville women’s basketball plays Michigan in NCAA Sweet 16
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 28: MacKenly Randolph #4 of the Louisville Cardinals drives to the basket against Syla Swords #12 of the Michigan Wolverines during the first quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Dickies Arena on March 28, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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Louisville women’s basketball plays Michigan in NCAA Sweet 16
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 28: MacKenly Randolph #4 of the Louisville Cardinals shoots the ball against Olivia Olson #1 and Syla Swords #12 of the Michigan Wolverines during the first quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Dickies Arena on March 28, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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Louisville women’s basketball plays Michigan in NCAA Sweet 16
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 28: Syla Swords #12 of the Michigan Wolverines gestures during the first quarter against the Louisville Cardinals in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Dickies Arena on March 28, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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Louisville women’s basketball plays Michigan in NCAA Sweet 16
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 28: Head coach Kim Barnes Arico of the Michigan Wolverines gestures during the first quarter against the Louisville Cardinals in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Dickies Arena on March 28, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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Louisville women’s basketball plays Michigan in NCAA Sweet 16
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 28: Head coach Jeff Walz of the Louisville Cardinals gestures during the first quarter against the Michigan Wolverines in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Dickies Arena on March 28, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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Louisville women’s basketball plays Michigan in NCAA Sweet 16
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 28: Head coach Jeff Walz of the Louisville Cardinals reacts during the first quarter against the Michigan Wolverines in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Dickies Arena on March 28, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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Louisville women’s basketball plays Michigan in NCAA Sweet 16
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 28: MacKenly Randolph #4 of the Louisville Cardinals reacts during the first quarter against the Michigan Wolverines in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Dickies Arena on March 28, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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Louisville women’s basketball plays Michigan in NCAA Sweet 16
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 28: Elif Istanbulluoglu #11 of the Louisville Cardinals shoots the ball against Olivia Olson #1 of the Michigan Wolverines during the first quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Dickies Arena on March 28, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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Louisville women’s basketball plays Michigan in NCAA Sweet 16
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 28: Olivia Olson #1 of the Michigan Wolverines shoots the ball against Laura Ziegler #0 and Tajianna Roberts #22 of the Louisville Cardinals during the first quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Dickies Arena on March 28, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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Louisville women’s basketball plays Michigan in NCAA Sweet 16
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 28: Olivia Olson #1 of the Michigan Wolverines shoots the ball against Imari Berry #2 of the Louisville Cardinals first quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Dickies Arena on March 28, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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Louisville women’s basketball plays Michigan in NCAA Sweet 16
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 28: Olivia Olson #1 of the Michigan Wolverines drives to the basket against Laura Ziegler #0 of the Louisville Cardinals during the first quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Dickies Arena on March 28, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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Louisville women’s basketball plays Michigan in NCAA Sweet 16
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 28: Imari Berry #2 of the Louisville Cardinals dribbles the ball defended by Mila Holloway #3 of the Michigan Wolverines during the first quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Dickies Arena on March 28, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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Louisville women’s basketball plays Michigan in NCAA Sweet 16
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 28: Laura Ziegler #0 of the Louisville Cardinals defends against Olivia Olson #1 of the Michigan Wolverines during the first quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Dickies Arena on March 28, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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Louisville women’s basketball plays Michigan in NCAA Sweet 16
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 28: Olivia Olson #1 of the Michigan Wolverines shoots the ball against Laura Ziegler #0 of the Louisville Cardinals during the first quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Dickies Arena on March 28, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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Louisville women’s basketball plays Michigan in NCAA Sweet 16
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 28: Reyna Scott #1 of the Louisville Cardinals shoots the ball against Te’yala Delfosse #33 of the Michigan Wolverines during the first quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Dickies Arena on March 28, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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Louisville women’s basketball plays Michigan in NCAA Sweet 16
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 28: Kendall Dudley #22 of the Michigan Wolverines goes after the ball against MacKenly Randolph #4 and Laura Ziegler #0 of the Louisville Cardinals during the first quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Dickies Arena on March 28, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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Louisville women’s basketball plays Michigan in NCAA Sweet 16
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 28: MacKenly Randolph #4 of the Louisville Cardinals goes after the ball against Syla Swords #12 and Kendall Dudley #22 of the Michigan Wolverines during the first quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Dickies Arena on March 28, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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Louisville women’s basketball plays Michigan in NCAA Sweet 16
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 28: Syla Swords #12 of the Michigan Wolverines shoots the ball against Laura Ziegler #0 of the Louisville Cardinals during the first quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Dickies Arena on March 28, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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Louisville women’s basketball plays Michigan in NCAA Sweet 16
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 28: MacKenly Randolph #4 of the Louisville Cardinals controls the ball against the Michigan Wolverines during the first quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Dickies Arena on March 28, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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Louisville women’s basketball plays Michigan in NCAA Sweet 16
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 28: Tajianna Roberts #22 of the Louisville Cardinals controls the ball against the Michigan Wolverines during the first quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Dickies Arena on March 28, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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Louisville women’s basketball plays Michigan in NCAA Sweet 16
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 28: Brooke Q. Daniels #5 of the Michigan Wolverines shoots the ball against the Louisville Cardinals during the first quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Dickies Arena on March 28, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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Louisville women’s basketball plays Michigan in NCAA Sweet 16
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 28: Syla Swords #12 of the Michigan Wolverines adjusts her face mask during the first quarter against the Louisville Cardinals in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Dickies Arena on March 28, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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Louisville women’s basketball plays Michigan in NCAA Sweet 16
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 28: Laura Ziegler #0 of the Louisville Cardinals dribbles the ball against the Michigan Wolverines during the first quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Dickies Arena on March 28, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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Louisville women’s basketball plays Michigan in NCAA Sweet 16
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 28: Imari Berry #2 of the Louisville Cardinals controls the ball against the Michigan Wolverines during the first quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Dickies Arena on March 28, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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Louisville women’s basketball plays Michigan in NCAA Sweet 16
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 28: The Louisville Cardinals and the against the Michigan Wolverines huddle up during the first quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Dickies Arena on March 28, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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Louisville women’s basketball plays Michigan in NCAA Sweet 16
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 28: Reyna Scott #1 of the Louisville Cardinals battles Olivia Olson #1 and Brooke Q. Daniels #5 of the Michigan Wolverines for the ball during the second quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Dickies Arena on March 28, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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Louisville women’s basketball plays Michigan in NCAA Sweet 16
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – MARCH 28: Brooke Q. Daniels #5 of the Michigan Wolverines grabs the ball against Imari Berry #2 of the Louisville Cardinals during the second quarter in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Dickies Arena on March 28, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Here are three takeaways from the Cardinals’ Elite Eight loss to Michigan:
The curse of the second quarter
Even on the road and in the postseason, Louisville couldn’t avoid its habit of having one bad quarter — the second period, in particular. The trend continued against Michigan, as the Cardinals saw their 11-point lead (25-14) midway through the frame become a five-point deficit just six minutes later.
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UofL had three turnovers and only one made field goal in the final six minutes of the frame. Michigan capitalized with a 16-0 run. The Wolverines took their first lead of the day, 28-25, at the 1:59 mark on a 3-point play.
Michigan outscored Louisville, 23-12, in the second quarter to pocket the 32-27 halftime advantage.
Elif Istanbulluoglu takes over for Louisville
Forward Elif Istanbulluoglu was UofL’s spark to start the Sweet 16 contest, totaling 18 points and seven rebounds. She scored the Cardinals’ first five points, then picked off a Michigan pass, which Imari Berry converted to give the team a 7-0 early lead.
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Istanbulluoglu snapped the Cardinals’ second-quarter scoring drought, then opened the third quarter by forcing a turnover, notching a 3-point play and drawing a foul. Her efforts helped the Cardinals regain the lead, which eventually came via a 4-0 run from Mackenly Randolph to make it 38-37 before the Wolverines took control.
Michigan beats Louisville on boards
Michigan killed Louisville on effort plays. Any time the ball came off the rim, the Wolverines were all over it. They kept the Cardinals off the boards and outreboundeded them 41-33. Although both teams had eight offensive rebounds heading into the fourth quarter, the difference was that Michigan had 10 second-chance points to Louisville’s five. That allowed the Wolverines to shoot 51% from the field after the first three quarters and build their largest lead of the day to that point at 57-40.
Reach Louisville football, women’s basketball and baseball beat writer Alexis Cubit at acubit@gannett.com and follow her on X at @Alexis_Cubit.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville vs Michigan Sweet 16 score, UofL WBB out of March Madness