LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Interstat) — A surging Duke team faces its toughest Atlantic Coast Conference test yet when the 16th-ranked Blue Devils visit Louisville on Thursday night in a key women’s basketball clash.

The Blue Devils (16-6, 8-1 ACC) ride an eight-game winning streak into the KFC Yum! Center, their longest in conference play in nearly a decade. Duke’s defense has been stifling during the run, holding opponents to an average of 52.6 points.

They will need that defensive intensity against the Cardinals (21-3, 9-1), who sit atop the ACC standings and have won 10 of their last 11. Louisville boasts one of the nation’s most efficient offenses, averaging 79.2 points per game.

A matchup to watch features Duke’s versatile forward Delaney Thomas against Louisville’s dynamic guard Tajianna Roberts. Thomas has been consistently excellent, scoring in double figures in seven straight games, including a 20-point performance at California and 19 points in a win at Stanford. She is coming off an 11-point, 8-rebound effort in Sunday’s 80-44 rout of Wake Forest.

Roberts provides Louisville with explosive scoring and playmaking. She poured in a season-high 21 points to go with 5 assists in Sunday’s 71-59 victory at California. Her backcourt leadership will be crucial against Duke’s pressure.

The Blue Devils have shown resilience on the road, with notable wins at Stanford and California last month. Their interior presence, led by Toby Fournier and Arianna Roberson, who each posted double-doubles against Wake Forest, will challenge Louisville’s frontcourt.

The Cardinals have been dominant at home, winning 10 straight in Louisville since a non-conference loss. They have balanced scoring, with Elif Istanbulluoglu and Laura Ziegler joining Roberts as consistent threats.

Thursday’s contest is the only scheduled meeting this season between the two ACC contenders. A Duke win would tighten the conference race, while a Louisville victory would solidify its position as the team to beat.

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. EST.