In a high-octane ACC clash that kept fans on edge until the final buzzer, No. 25 Louisville extended its winning streak to five games with an 89-81 victory over Florida State on Saturday. The Cardinals (20-6, 13-2 ACC) outlasted the Seminoles (16-10, 7-8 ACC) in a contest where both teams shot above 50% from the field.
Game-Changing Performances
Florida State’s Malique Ewin dominated the paint with a career-high 24-point performance, while Louisville’s Chucky Hepburn answered with clutch shooting down the stretch. The Cardinals’ backcourt combination of Hepburn (15 PPG) and Jalen Hadley (7.2 RPG) proved decisive in maintaining their second-place conference standing behind Duke.
Conference Implications
With this win, Louisville strengthens its NCAA tournament resume:
- Remains tied with Clemson at 13-2 in ACC play
- Holds a commanding 7.5-game lead over Florida State
- Maintains position for double-bye in ACC Tournament
Historic Rivalry Context
While best known for their football rivalry (Louisville leads 6-19 all-time in basketball matchups), this hardwood battle carried extra significance:
| Stat | Louisville | Florida State |
|---|---|---|
| FG% | 52.1% | 50.6% |
| Rebounds | 34 | 29 |
| Turnovers | 9 | 14 |
What’s Next?
The Cardinals face Wake Forest on March 1 in a pivotal conference matchup, while Florida State looks to rebound against Georgia Tech on February 26. Both teams remain in contention for March Madness bids, with Louisville now projected as a 4-seed by ESPN bracketologists.
