UNC Women’s Basketball Falls to Louisville in ACC Tournament Semifinals

UNC finished with nearly as many turnovers as made baskets against Louisville Saturday in the ACC Tournament semifinals, falling to the Cardinals 65-57.

After posting a 29-point quarter against Virginia Tech in the quarterfinals Friday night, Carolina managed no more than 17 points in any quarter Saturday. Despite the offensive struggles, UNC remained close thanks to its defense causing Louisville problems of its own. The Cardinals committed 14 turnovers, which turned into 15 Carolina points.

UNC trailed 28-27 at halftime, but used a strong run at the beginning of the third quarter to take what turned out to be its largest lead of the game at 34-30. That lead came at the 7:01 mark of the third quarter, and the Tar Heels would only make one more basket for the rest of the period. Carolina couldn’t keep up with the hot shooting of Louisville’s Imari Berry, who scored 22 points and made four three-pointers. As a team, UNC made only six all game.

Berry’s shooting gave Louisville a 45-40 lead at the end of the third quarter, and that advantage grew to 10 in the final period. UNC never got within five points until the final seconds, when Louisville’s victory was already in hand.

Elina Aarnisalo finished as UNC’s leading scorer with 17 points. Lanie Grant added 11 and Indya Nivar scored 10. The Tar Heels finished just 19-53 (35.8 percent) from the floor and committed 15 turnovers.

Carolina still has not reached the ACC Tournament championship game since 2013. The Tar Heels will enter the NCAA Tournament with a 26-7 overall record. They will learn their tournament seeding and placement next Sunday.

Featured image via ACC Women’s Basketball on Twitter

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.

‹

Chansky's Notebook: Let's Not Forget

It’s been 20 years since the heartbreak in ‘Hooville. With the Tar Heels going to Virginia on Saturday for a game they are favored to win, what better reminder of a having letdown than the infamous outcome 20 years ago in Scott Stadium, when Carolina had seemingly broken the long drought in Charlottesville? Or so we thought. Certainly, […]

UNC Holds Out for 71-67 Win

The North Carolina women’s basketball team picked up its second consecutive win with a suspenseful 71-67 victory over Virginia Tech on Thursday night in Carmichael Arena. UNC now stands at 14-12 on the season with a 4-7 ACC record. The nail-biting victory came at the hands of several Tar Heels, with four players scoring double […]

Carolina's Hatchell Stepping Away From Court To Battle Leukemia

Hatchell says she will remain with the team and return to her sideline coaching as soon as possible.

UNC Women's Basketball Signee Kate Harpring Named National High School Player of the Year

Incoming UNC women’s basketball signee Kate Harpring was named the 2026 Naismith Girls’ High School Player of the Year Tuesday. Harpring will join the Tar Heels for the 2026-27 season. Crown 𝗛𝗘𝗥. 👑 pic.twitter.com/EqMDaR949n — Carolina Women's Basketball (@uncwbb) March 17, 2026 The award comes after Harpring led Marist Academy in Atlanta to its second […]

Chansky's Notebook: The Reward

As it turns out, UNC women’s basketball fans will get at least one more look at the Tar Heels on their home floor.

UNC Women's Basketball Receives No. 4 Seed in NCAA Tournament, Will Host Games in Chapel Hill

Carmichael Arena will host NCAA Tournament action for the second consecutive season. UNC was revealed as a top 16 seed in the NCAA Tournament Saturday, meaning the Tar Heels will host first- and second-round matchups in Chapel Hill. Carolina will face No. 13 seed Western Illinois in the tournament’s first round Friday. The winner of […]

UNC Men's Basketball Receives No. 6 Seed in NCAA Tournament, Will Face No. 11 VCU in Greenville

The Tar Heels are dancing. Carolina received a No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament’s South Region Sunday evening. The Tar Heels will play No. 11 seed VCU in the tournament’s first round Thursday in Greenville, S.C. The winner of the UNC vs. VCU game will play the winner of No. 3 seed Illinois and […]

UNC Basketball in the AP Poll: Women Up to No. 15, Men Down to No. 19

Both the UNC men’s and women’s basketball teams made moves in the most recent AP Polls, which were released Monday. The women’s team moved up one spot to No. 15, while the men’s team slipped two spots to No. 19. On the men’s side, the Tar Heels dropped after splitting their final two games of […]

Chansky's Notebook: The Case

UNC and head coach Courtney Banghart will have to wait and see whether they earned a top 4 seed and a host spot in the NCAA Tournament.

UNC Women's Basketball Falls to Louisville in ACC Tournament Semifinals

UNC finished with nearly as many turnovers as made baskets against Louisville Saturday in the ACC Tournament semifinals, falling to the Cardinals 65-57. After posting a 29-point quarter against Virginia Tech in the quarterfinals Friday night, Carolina managed no more than 17 points in any quarter Saturday. Despite the offensive struggles, UNC remained close thanks […]

›