The Nebraska women’s basketball team came close to an upset, but ultimately fell short against the Louisville Cardinals in the NCAA tournament on March 21, 2025. The contest, held in Fort Worth, Texas, ended with a score of 63-58, marking a disappointing exit for the 10th-seeded Huskers after a fierce battle with the 7th-seeded Cardinals.
From the outset, both teams displayed fierce competitiveness, with the lead changing hands multiple times throughout the game. Nebraska started strong, with freshman guard Britt Prince opening the scoring with a three-pointer. By the end of the first quarter, the Huskers led 16-14. However, the tide turned as Louisville’s Olivia Cochran rallied her team to regain the lead, thanks to her effective play at the free-throw line. By halftime, the Cardinals had established a slight advantage at 36-32.
The second half saw both teams grappling intensely. Nebraska’s Amiah Hargrove came alive, contributing significant points and defensive plays. Hargrove finished with ten points and nine rebounds, while Prince led the game with 14 points and six assists. However, the Huskers struggled with turnovers, accumulating 24 throughout the game and allowing Louisville to capitalize with 27 points off those mishaps.
In the fourth quarter, Nebraska made a valiant effort to reclaim the game and even led 54-50 at one point, forcing the Cardinals to call a timeout. The final moments were tense, culminating in a critical offensive charge call against Prince that fouled her out and shifted the momentum back to Louisville. Coach Amy Williams’ players fought harshly until the final buzzer, but they ultimately could not overcome the Cardinals’ defensive pressure.
Alexis Markowski, a standout player for the Huskers, recorded a double-double in what turned out to be her final collegiate game, contributing 12 points and 10 rebounds. Markowski’s leadership through the season has left a lasting impact on Nebraska basketball, as she joins fellow seniors Kendall Moriarty, Alberte Rimdal, and Kendall Coley in concluding their journeys with the program.
The return to Fort Worth for the NCAA first round created an environment buzzing with tension and anticipation, especially considering Palace of Fort Worth's significant history in women’s basketball. Having faced disappointment in last year’s tournament, Louisville's coach Jeff Walz reminded his team of the importance of seizing these moments.
“I explained to them, some firsts aren't good, and it was a first,” he stated, about their previous year elimination. This motivation seemingly fueled the Cardinals as they were determined to avoid a repeat. Now, Louisville moves on to face 2nd-seeded TCU on Sunday, March 23, as the NCAA tournament continues.
Despite the Huskers’ challenges this season, there’s a sense of optimism for future success as up-and-coming talents like Britt Prince and Amiah Hargrove showed their potential. Looking ahead, Nebraska will surely build on their young core and strengthen their roster.
The loss to Louisville marks the end of Nebraska's season with a respectable 21-12 record. The path forward is clear, jettisoning the commencement of a rebuilding phase, starting from the young guard-centric strategies that proved effective in this contest.
This game highlighted Nebraska's strengths and weaknesses: their shooting average of 44% contrasted sharply with their turnover problems, which heavily contributed to their downfall. As college basketball has shown time and again, one critical mistake can change the tide; for Nebraska, that was too often the case in this match.
In reflecting on a season filled with highs and lows, it’s important to recognize the resolve shown by this group as they fought to keep their tournament hopes alive. Husker Nation will surely rally around these athletes as they transition to the next chapter of Nebraska women’s basketball.
