No. 4 Louisville holds off Kentucky, 80-77
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Russ Smith ranked Louisville’s 80-77 victory over Kentucky on Saturday as one of the five favorites of his career.
Makes sense, considering he played a key role in ending the No. 4 Cardinals’ four-game losing streak against the rival Wildcats.
Smith scored 21 points, including five of Louisville’s final 13, along with seven rebounds to help the Cardinals hold off Kentucky in an up-and-down game.
The effort comes nearly a year after he came off the bench to score 30 in the Cardinals’ 69-62 loss to the Wildcats in Lexington, one of two defeats last season to their in-state rivals that included last season’s national semifinal.
“This one probably ranks as one of the top five biggest wins of my life,” said the junior guard, whose list includes last season’s NCAA regional final, the round of 16 and Louisville’s two wins that clinched the Big East Conference championship last March.
The Wildcats trailed 51-34 but outscored the Cardinals 28-14 to get within 65-62 before Smith’s two baskets keyed an 8-5 run that gave Louisville some breathing room.
The Cardinals won despite four fouls by Smith and center Gorgui Dieng, who returned from a seven-game absence with a broken left wrist. The junior had six points, seven rebounds and two blocks.
Goodwin scored 19 of his 22 points in the second half for Kentucky (8-4) and Ryan Harrow added 17 points.
Poor foul shooting hurt the Wildcats’ comeback. They shot just 11 of 23 (48 percent) from the line, matching their percentage from the field.
Kentucky trailed 77-74 following a rare four-point play as Goodwin was fouled by Siva as he made a 3-pointer.
Kentucky coach John Calipari didn’t call timeout after that, and Goodwin’s turnover followed.
Louisville also shot 48 percent from the field, but made 17 of 25 from the free throw line to win its seventh straight.
As might be expected from bitter in-state rivals, the early minutes were physical and intense with six ties and five lead changes. There were lineup changes for both teams.
Kentucky started 7-foot freshman Willie Cauley-Stein alongside 6-10 Nerlens Noel for the first time in an effort to establish a post presence against the Cardinals.
The Wildcats’ move might have been a pre-emptive one with Louisville expected to start the 6-11 Dieng.
Louisville started 6 of 16 from the field and trailed 18-12, but went on a 13-2 run led by Behanan, who scored six points. He scored 11 points to help give the Cardinals a 36-28 lead at the half.