Reyna Scott’s late floater lifts Louisville past Alabama, securing Sweet 16 berth in 2026 tournament
A one-possession finish at the Yum! Center
Louisville advanced to the Sweet 16 on Monday, March 23, 2026, edging Alabama 69-68 in a second-round NCAA Tournament game played in Louisville. The decisive sequence centered on a late driving floater by senior guard Reyna Scott that dropped through in the closing moments, turning a tight endgame into a one-point victory and sending the Cardinals to the tournament’s second weekend.
The result capped a home-start to the postseason for Louisville, which was selected as one of the NCAA’s 16 first- and second-round host sites and opened tournament play at the KFC Yum! Center. Louisville entered the NCAA Tournament after a 27-7 regular season and a 15-3 ACC mark, finishing second in the conference standings and reaching the ACC championship game earlier this month.
Why Scott’s moment mattered in a game of small margins
In games decided by a single possession, the last quality shot often becomes the separating factor. Scott’s late floater—converted in traffic near the rim—stood out because it produced points without requiring a set three-pointer or a drawn-out half-court possession. The play also reflected a broader theme of the matchup: both teams repeatedly forced contested looks and valued clean finishing chances around the basket.
Scott’s role has been a steady storyline for Louisville this season. A transfer addition from Oklahoma, she has been part of a backcourt rotation that has shouldered late-clock decision-making in close games. The Alabama win provided the latest example, with Louisville relying on veteran ball-handling and composure when the outcome remained unsettled into the final seconds.
Postseason context: hosting, seeding, and the path ahead
Louisville’s hosting assignment placed the program in a familiar operational position—managing the NCAA tournament’s early rounds at home—while also heightening the pressure that comes with playing elimination games in front of a home crowd. The second-round win preserves Louisville’s opportunity to build on a season that included 12 consecutive years reaching at least 12 ACC wins, a benchmark that underscores the program’s sustained conference performance.
Game: Louisville 69, Alabama 68 (NCAA Tournament, second round)
Date: Monday, March 23, 2026
Key late play: Reyna Scott’s go-ahead floater in the closing moments
Immediate outcome: Louisville advances to the Sweet 16
In a one-point NCAA Tournament game, a single possession can define the result. Louisville’s final answer came at the rim.
Louisville will now move on to the Sweet 16, where the stakes rise and the margin for error typically shrinks further. For the Cardinals, Monday’s finish offered a clear template for what often travels in March: late-game shot creation, secure execution in the paint, and the ability to close a game when it is still within one possession.