Louisville basketball vs Middle Tennessee score, highlights: Savannah Wheeler keys upset

Louisville women's basketball lost to 11th-seeded Middle Tennessee, 71-69, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

The Blue Raiders overcame an 18-point deficit to advance to the second round. They will play the winner of LSU-Rice.

Louisville vs Middle Tennessee live score updates in NCAA first round

3:42 p.m. | One last shot

Middle Tennessee's Ta'Mia Scott was fouled and went 0 for 2 from the free-throw line, Louisville grabbed the rebound, and Merissah Russell's half-court heave bounced off the rim.

Final | Middle Tennessee 71, Louisville 69

3:40 p.m. | It's not over yet

A Sydney Taylor 3-pointer brings Louisville within two points with 4.9 seconds left.

3:35 p.m. | Free throws

Jalynn Gregory is 10 for 11 from the free-throw line, and she just put Middle Tennessee up 69-64 with 23 seconds left.

3:31 | Defense

Cochran stole the ball and finished with a layup on the other end to bring Louisville within two points.

3:29 p.m. | Staying close

Louisville is down by four points with 1:05 remaining, 64-60.

3:18 p.m. | Five minutes left

Louisville is down 57-54 with 4:46 remaining.

3:12 p.m. | All in

Cochran is back in the game at the start of the quarter and is playing with four fouls. She has the Cards' first four points of the quarter.

3:06 p.m. | Final quarter

Wheeler had 14 points in the third and Middle Tennessee has a 51-50 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

3:03 p.m. | First lead

Middle Tennessee has its first lead of the game after a Wheeler layup. The Blue Raiders are up 50-48 with 49 seconds left in the quarter.

3:01 p.m. | Tied game

Nina Rickards fouled Ta'Mia Scott on her 3-point attempt, and Scott made all three free throws.

Middle Tennessee is outscoring Louisville 21-10 in the quarter.

2:46 p.m. | Foul trouble

Cochran was called for her fourth foul with 5:53 left in the third quarter. It's not a good time for the Cards to lose their leading scorer, as the 18-point lead they once had in the second quarter has shrunk to five.

2:42 p.m. | Scoring drought

Louisville's last field goal came at 4:18 in the second quarter, and Middle Tennessee is on a 14-2 run.

2:22 p.m. | Halftime

Louisville was held scoreless for the last four minutes of the second quarter, and Middle Tennessee was able to cut the deficit to 11. Louisville leads 38-27 at the half.

2:19 p.m. | Closing the gap

Middle Tennessee is on a 7-0 run after a Savannah Wheeler layup.

2:13 p.m. | Size is not a factor

The 6-foot-3 Olivia Cochran is battling down low against taller Middle Tennessee centers Iullia Grabovskaia(6'5) and Anastasiia Boldyreva(6'6), but she has nine points and a game-high six rebounds. The Cards have a 16-point lead with 3:33 remaining in the half.

1:58 p.m. | Good defense leading to offense

Middle Tennessee shot 4 for 14 from the field in the quarter and had six turnovers. Louisville made 7 of its last 9 field goals to end the quarter. The Cardinals lead 28-12 heading into the second.

1:46 p.m. | Hot start

Louisville is on a 9-0 run and has a ten point lead, 17-7, with 3:54 remaining in the first quarter.

Louisville starting lineup: Sydney Taylor, Kiki Jefferson, Nina Rickards, Nyla Harris, and Olivia Cochran.

Middle Tennessee starting lineup: Savannah Wheeler, Jalynn Gregory, Ta'Mia Scott, Courtney Whitson, and Anastasiia Boldyreva.

What channel is Louisville vs. Middle Tennessee on today? How to watch, stream live

• TV channel: ESPN2

• Stream: NCAA March Madness Live app | WatchESPN

Louisville will tip off vs. Middle Tennessee on ESPN2. Streaming options include the NCAA March Madness Live app and WatchESPN. Announcers for the game are Dave O'Brien and Christy Thomaskutty.

Louisville vs. Middle Tennessee start time, TV info, location

• Start time: 1:30 p.m. ET

• TV info: ESPN2

• Location: Pete Maravich Assembly Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Louisville vs Middle Tennessee preview

Louisville: The Cards will have to step up on defense. In every game they've lost this season, their opponents scored more than 70. Middle Tennessee averages 71.8 points per game.

Middle Tennessee: The Raiders rarely turn the ball over (11.6 per game) and play stellar defense. Their opponents average 54.3 points per game. If they play live, as they have all season, they can beat Louisville.

Louisville vs. Middle Tennessee odds, betting line, spread

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Thursday, March 21, 2024

• Spread: Louisville (-5.5)

• Over/under: 129.5

• Moneyline: Louisville -250, Middle Tennessee +200

Louisville vs Middle Tennessee prediction, game picks

Louisville 60, Middle Tennessee 54: Louisville will tighten up its defense and try to limit turnovers on offense, which would result in a victory over Middle Tennessee. Click here for more.

Louisville vs Middle Tennessee injury updates

Louisville: None.

Middle Tennessee: None.

Louisville vs Middle Tennessee stats

Louisville

• PPG: 73.5

• PPG allowed: 63.1

• FG%: 45.2

• 3PT%: 32.3

Middle Tennessee

• PPG: 71.8

• PPG allowed: 54.3

• FG%: 43.9

• 3PT%: 35.0

Louisville vs Middle Tennesseechampionship odds

Odds according to BetMGM:

Louisville: +20000

Middle Tennessee: +50000

Louisville basketball schedule 2023-24

Below are the last five games of Louisville's 2023-24 basketball season. For the full schedule, click here

Middle Tennessee basketball schedule 2023-24

Below are the last five games of Middle Tennessee's 2023-24 basketball season. For the full schedule, click here

Reach sports reporter Prince James Story at pstory@gannett.com and follow him on X at @PrinceJStory.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville vs Middle Tennessee score, updates: 2024 NCAA Tournament