There are many reasons the University of Louisville women’s basketball team is ranked No. 1. Talent, toughness, coaching. On Sunday, a refusal to lose hope or quit when not playing their best.
The Cardinals trailing by nine points, 55-46, with 7:14 to go, somehow finding a way to fend off an adrenaline-driven, upset-minded Wake Forest at Winston-Salem. Final score: Louisville 65, Wake Forest 63.
Some huge plays in the final three minutes, starting with Norika Konno’s steal that would lead to a go-ahead 3-pointer by Dana Evans (60-57). But Wake Forest refusing to wilt, countering with a field goal and a pair of free throws (60-61).