Cards Can't Keep Pace with Kentucky in Home Defeat

Thursday, December 21

LOUISVILLE, KY

6 p.m.

University of Louisville

#9 Kentucky

Mike James drives the ball against Kentucky at the KFC Yum! Center on December 21, 2023.

December 21, 2023 | Men's Basketball

Box Score PDF Box VIDEO: Kenny Payne Press Conference VIDEO: Brandon Huntley-Hatfield/Skyy Clark Press Conference Photo Gallery

By: Zach Greenwell

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A tough 10-minute stretch was too much for Louisville men's basketball to overcome Thursday in a 95-76 loss to No. 9 Kentucky at the KFC Yum! Center.

The Cardinals (5-7) led with 11:12 remaining in the first half and outscored the Wildcats by one in the second half, but the final minutes of the opening frame proved to be the difference.

"First of all, we played a team that is ranked No. 9 but I think they are a lot better than No. 9," UofL head coach Kenny Payne said. "The reason they are a lot better than nine is they share the ball, they defend, they have players who pass the ball and can really shoot the ball – probably the best passing team that we have played. They are a machine that keeps coming at you and at you and at you. I thought for the first ten minutes we did a really good job. We affected them some. But as it wore on, we didn't quite keep it going. We stopped defending the way we should, and we didn't share the ball like we should have and that led to them making runs."

Louisville's lead was 17-16 after a basket by sophomore guard Tre White at the 11:12 mark, but Kentucky surged in front with a 13-1 run that made it 31-18 three minutes later.

The Wildcats also finished the first half on a 14-2 run for a 53-33 lead, which eventually reached 26 with 17:36 to play.

Kentucky shot 51.5% from the field, made 12 3-pointers and recorded 19 assists.

Sophomore guard Skyy Clark led Louisville with 20 points and five assists, while junior forward Brandon Huntley-Hatfield recorded his third straight double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Redshirt sophomore guard/forward Mike James added 12 points and six rebounds, and White reached double figures with 11 points.

Antonio Reeves scored a game-high 30 points to pace the Wildcats (9-2).

The Cardinals are off for the rest of the calendar year until they return to ACC play at No. 22/20 Virginia on Jan. 3 at 7 p.m. ET. The game will air on an ESPN network still to be determined.