USC women's basketball: Another successful NCAA tournament run comes to an end in the Elite 8

Pac-12 tournament champions fall to Louisville Cardinals in the Elite Eight

The USC Trojans women's basketball team saw their season come to an end on Monday night in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament, falling to the Louisville Cardinals, 76-64, at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky.

The Trojans, who won the Pac-12 Tournament title earlier this month, were making their first Elite Eight appearance since 2014. They were also seeking their first Final Four berth since 2009.

Louisville took control of the game in the third quarter

Louisville took control of the game in the third quarter, outscoring USC 24-12 to take a 13-point lead heading into the fourth quarter. The Cardinals shot 57.1% from the field in the third quarter, while the Trojans shot just 30.0%.

USC was led by freshman guard Rayah Marshall, who scored a team-high 18 points. Junior guard Destiny Littleton added 17 points, and senior forward Alissa Pili contributed 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Louisville advances to the Final Four

Louisville was led by senior guard Hailey Van Lith, who scored a game-high 23 points. Junior forward Olivia Cochran added 16 points, and sophomore guard Chrislyn Carr contributed 13 points.

With the win, Louisville advances to the Final Four, where they will face the No. 1 seed Stanford Cardinal on Friday night.

USC's season ends with a 26-8 record

USC's season ends with a 26-8 record. The Trojans won their first Pac-12 Tournament title since 2014 and made their first Elite Eight appearance since 2014.

Head coach Lindsay Gottlieb has now led the Trojans to three NCAA Tournament appearances in her four seasons at the helm.