Louisville basketball beats Kentucky for the first time in four years

The No. 12 Louisville Cardinals ended their four-year losing streak against the No. 9 Kentucky Wildcats with a 96-88 win, providing a much-needed relief for Card Nation.

Strong Start and Early Momentum

Louisville quickly took control as Ryan Conwell opened scoring with a free throw, then followed with consecutive three-pointers. A connection between Sananda Fru and Conwell helped push the lead to double digits before the first media timeout.

Offensive Efficiency

The Cardinals’ offense was sharp early on, scoring effectively from beyond the arc and inside the paint. Fru and Aly Khalifa dominated near the basket while Brown managed the offense smoothly. A 15-2 run solidified Louisville's momentum.

First Half Lead and Kentucky’s Fightback

Louisville led by as many as 20 points in the first half, appearing in full control. However, Kentucky fought back strongly, tightening their defense and capitalizing on turnovers. Key plays by Otega Oweh and Collin Chandler narrowed the gap to single digits by halftime.

“Louisville entered halftime ahead 53-46. What looked like a blowout early quickly turned tense.”

The game resumed with both teams battling intensely after the halftime break.

Summary: Louisville’s decisive win over Kentucky broke a four-year losing streak through strong offense and resilience despite a late comeback effort from Kentucky.

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The Louisville Cardinal — 2025-11-12