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University of Louisville Athletics

Sunday, March 20
LOUISVILLE, KY
7 p.m.

University of Louisville

68
vs
59

GONZAGA

Kianna Smith drives into the lane in NCAA Round 2 vs. Gonzaga

Top Seed Louisville Advances to Sweet 16 with 68-59 Win over 9-Seed Gonzaga

March 20, 2022 | Women's Basketball

Hailey Van Lith scored 21 points, Emily Engstler had 12 points, 11 rebounds and five steals and Kianna Smith scored 10 of her 12 points in the first half.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Hailey Van Lith scored 21 points and Louisville advanced to the Sweet 16 after a 68-59 win over Gonzaga on Sunday night in the second round of the women's NCAA Tournament.

Playing in front of a loud home crowd for the last time this season, the top-seeded Cardinals (27-4) jumped out to a 14-0 lead less than 4:30 into the game, thanks to a pressure defense that sped up the Bulldogs. The Zags (27-7) not only weathered the storm but also answered with a 12-0 run of their own.

Van Lith, a Washington state native, would not be denied. The sophomore guard scored eight straight points in 1:45 stretch of the third quarter that started a 15-3 run. She would cap that spurt with two more free throws to make it 51-33 with 3:00 left in the period.

Gonzaga (27-7) never got back within eight points the rest of the way.

Van Lith, who made 8 of 17 shots, was one of four Louisville players in double figures. Emily Engstler overcame a 3-for-13 shooting performance to post 12 points, 11 rebounds and five steals. Kianna Smith scored 10 of her 12 points in the first half, and Olivia Cochran added 11 on 5-of-8 shooting.

Kayleigh Truong led Gonzaga with 14 points, but the junior was just 1 of 5 in the second half. Melody Kempton added 13.

With the win, Louisville finished the season with a 16-0 record at the Yum Center. Dating back to last season, the Cardinals have won a record 18 straight.

But the road to what would the program's first national title will go through Wichita, Kansas, where Louisville will play the winner of Monday night's second-round game of Belmont at Tennessee.

BIG PICTURE

Gonzaga: The Zags survived the early barrage, but ultimately struggled to break the Cardinals' defense on a consistent basis. Louisville held Gonzaga to 38% shooting, including 4 of 20 on 3-pointers, and forced them into 18 turnovers.

Louisville: Coach Jeff Walz said repeatedly through the season that this Cardinals team could make the Final Four or lose in the second round. Gonzaga gave Louisville a scare, but now it's back to the Sweet 16 for the eighth time since 2013.

For the latest on Louisville women's basketball, visit GoCards.com, follow the team's Twitter account at @UofLWBB or on Facebook at facebook.com/UofLWBB.