Kentucky Basketball Comeback Falls Short in Rivalry Game Loss to Louisville
Pat Kelsey’s Cardinals almost knocked out Mark Pope’s Wildcats in the first half on Tuesday night. Louisville sealed the victory in the final minutes.
The highly anticipated game at the KFC Yum Center did not favor Kentucky. Louisville nearly delivered a knockout punch in the opening half before finishing off the ninth-ranked Wildcats in the second half.
The Cardinals survived a late scare and ultimately won 96-88 over UK in front of a lively crowd. The official attendance was 22,586, with Louisville fans dominating and very few Kentucky supporters present. This victory marked a statement from the Cardinals in a rivalry long controlled by Kentucky.
Now in his second season, head coach Pat Kelsey led Louisville to their first ranked matchup against Kentucky in six years. Mark Pope, also in his second season as UK’s head coach, had defeated Louisville 93-85 at Rupp Arena last December, but Louisville took control in this rematch.
The Cardinals nearly put Kentucky away in the first half and held a seven-point lead at halftime. They quickly rebuilt their advantage after halftime to secure the win.
“The Louisville fans were rocking for this one — the official attendance was 22,586, with only a smattering of blue in the crowd — as the Cardinals declared their return in a rivalry that has been dominated by UK for most of the past two decades.”
“Mark Pope, who is also in his second season as UK’s head coach, led the Cats to a 93-85 win in Rupp Arena last December, but round two was all Louisville.”
Summary: Louisville’s energized performance and strong home crowd helped them defeat Kentucky 96-88, marking a significant win in this long-standing rivalry under new head coaches.