FORT Worth, Texas — Michigan shook off a slow start in emphatic fashion, turning a sluggish opening into a dominant Sweet 16 victory.
Behind a breakout stretch spanning the middle quarters, the second-seeded Wolverines pulled away from Louisville for a 71-52 win Saturday, punching their ticket to the Elite Eight for the second time in five seasons.
Olivia Olson led the charge with 19 points, while fellow sophomore Syla Swords added 16 as Michigan (28-6) found its rhythm after a rocky beginning.
The Wolverines didn’t score for the first six minutes of the game and fell into an early hole, but once they settled in, the momentum flipped dramatically.
“When we relaxed and just played our game, everything started clicking,” Olson said. “That’s when we’re at our best.”
Michigan first erased an 11-point deficit with a 16-0 run in the second quarter, seizing control before halftime. After Louisville briefly steadied itself, the Wolverines delivered the decisive blow in the third — a 17-0 surge that turned a tight game into a rout.
That stretch effectively ended the contest, as Michigan’s defense locked in and its offense flowed with confidence.
“It took us a little while to get comfortable,” coach Kim Barnes Arico said. “But once we did, our defense really fueled everything. That’s who we are.”
The Wolverines tied a program record for wins and now move on to face top-seeded Texas with a Final Four berth on the line.
Louisville (29-8) struggled to keep pace after its strong start. Elif Istanbulluoglu scored 18 points, but she was the only Cardinal to reach double figures as the offense stalled for long stretches.
From midway through the second quarter into the fourth, Louisville was overwhelmed, getting outscored 49-16 during that span.
“It just wasn’t our night,” coach Jeff Walz said. “Credit them, but we didn’t execute the way we needed to.”
Michigan’s turnaround was sparked by contributions across the lineup. Te’Yala Delfosse provided energy on both ends, finishing with 10 points, eight rebounds, and key defensive plays. Her three-point play during the second-quarter run gave the Wolverines their first lead.
Olson and Swords then took over in the second half. The duo combined for efficient scoring, knocking down timely shots — including back-to-back three-pointers late in the third-quarter burst — to put the game out of reach.
Louisville’s top scorers never found a rhythm. The Cardinals shot just 35% from the field and struggled from long range, hitting only three of 14 attempts from beyond the arc.
Despite entering the matchup with past NCAA Tournament success against Michigan, including a win that propelled Louisville to the Final Four four years ago, the Cardinals couldn’t replicate that magic this time.
For Michigan, the victory marked a reversal of that history — and a step closer to something bigger.
Now, with momentum firmly on their side, the Wolverines are one win away from reaching the Final Four.
