Kentucky Basketball Comeback Falls Short in Rivalry Loss to Louisville
The Louisville Cardinals, led by coach Pat Kelsey, nearly overwhelmed Mark Pope’s Kentucky Wildcats in the first half on Tuesday night. Louisville finished strong to claim a decisive win in the second half at the KFC Yum Center.
The game, one of the most anticipated in recent years, ended with Louisville defeating ninth-ranked Kentucky 96–88. The victory came despite a late push from the Wildcats that briefly threatened to turn the tide.
“The Louisville fans were rocking for this one — the official attendance was 22,586, with only a smattering of blue in the crowd.”
This atmosphere reflected a resurgence for the Cardinals, who had not been ranked for a Kentucky matchup in six years. Under Kelsey’s leadership, Louisville appears ready to challenge a rivalry long dominated by UK.
Mark Pope, also in his second season as Kentucky’s head coach, had led the Wildcats to a 93–85 victory over Louisville last December at Rupp Arena. But in this rematch, Louisville controlled most of the game, extending its halftime lead early in the second half and never looking back.
Author’s Summary
Louisville reasserted itself in the Kentucky rivalry, defeating the Wildcats 96–88 before a charged home crowd and marking a statement win under coach Pat Kelsey.