Louisville seniors Arica Carter and Asia Durr made their way around the KFC Yum Center after a win Sunday, waving to the fans, blowing kisses and flashing "L's Up."

But they were missing something — or someone.

"Yeah, AC and Asia left me. On that first victory lap, they left," said Sam Fuehring, another senior. "So, I had to come back out, it was kind of embarrassing, but I enjoyed it. And the fans, they clapped for me all over again."

For Carter, Durr and Fuehring, Sunday's 71-50 win over Michigan that put the Cardinals in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament essentially served as one final victory lap at the Yum Center in what's already been the winningest four-year stretch in program history.

More:In her final home game, Durr steals the show as U of L heads to Sweet 16

The trio had already celebrated Senior Night in the regular season home finale. But, as a No. 1 seed, they got the opportunity to play two more home games in the opening rounds of the NCAA Tournament.

After a win against Robert Morris, they helped lead the Cardinals back to the Sweet 16 for the sixth time in seven years after beating Michigan. Louisville will head to Albany, New York, where they'll play Gonzaga or Oregon State on Friday.

"It was exciting," Fuehring said. "We had a really, really big crowd. Even when we were doing the introductions, I told AC, I was like this crowd is roaring. I feel like it's not like this anywhere else, and I'm so appreciative."

All three seniors played a big role in Sunday's win, which marked Louisville's 122nd in the past four seasons. Durr dazzled with 24 points, as well as a pair of no-look passes and monster blocks. Fuehring chipped in 10 points and two rebounds.

And Carter, who had missed the last two games because of a knee contusion, returned to her point guard spot and had seven rebounds, three assists and three steals despite a poor shooting night.

Louisville coach Jeff Walz said he was proud of Carter for playing because getting in one last home game was "one of the things that she wanted to do."

"Like she did not want to end her career not having a chance to play the last game at home," Walz said. "You know, I started her and I was just going to let her keep going until she couldn't go ... and I thought she did a great job. I thought AC did well and Sam and Asia. Just a remarkable group to coach. Really, really proud of them."

The players said the crowd, announced at 7,725, helped the team jump out to a fast start. The Cardinals scored a basket five seconds into the game and held the lead until the final horn.

"We're trying to throw the first punch every game," Fuehring said. "We don't want to start out flat because that pretty much determines the rest of the game. But yeah, today, honestly ... I feel like it was the crowd giving us energy. So that helped to boost us even more."

More:Kentucky women's basketball faces NC State for a chance at the Sweet 16

Asked if Walz had to say anything to get the team fired up, Durr said no.

"During this time of the year, a coach should never have to tell you that," she said. "It's either win-or-go-home. So we take pride in that. We want to win."

That attitude carried over to their teammates, including junior Jazmine Jones, who posted 15 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals. She said the team "wanted to do great for these seniors."

"Just playing with them, having to be with them every single day, they are all great individually, and they are even better people off the court," Jones said. "I don't want to take that for granted and I'm going to miss these young ladies so much. Next year is going to be really hard without them, especially Sam and Asia, and AC, I look at her as our team leader."

Then she turned to Durr and Fuehring and thanked them "for everything."

"You trying to make us cry?" Durr responded.

Walz echoed Jones' sentiments. He said Durr has lived up to the the hype — and more — despite coming to Louisville with high expectations as a top recruit. He said Carter and Fuehring are representative of everything right with college athletics because they worked hard to transform themselves from rotation players to starters.

And Walz said they're going to be successful in whatever they do, even if it's not basketball.

"It's remarkable to think as a staff what we've been able to do with those three bad players. To turn them into the players they are, it's pretty amazing," he said, laughing.

Then Walz offered a reminder that their college careers are not over yet.

"We're going to miss all three of them, but the good thing for us is we've got a another ballgame to play and we'll get back to work and get prepared and see who we are going to play next week," he said.

Watch this:Sweet 16 is still a huge feat for Louisville women's basketball

Justin Sayers: 502-582-4252; jsayers@courierjournal.com; Twitter: @_JustinSayers. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: courier-journal.com/justins.