In a dynamic college basketball matchup, the University of Pittsburgh's Panthers, led by Guillermo Diaz Graham, surged ahead with a notable 8-0 run, leading 23-8 against Purdue Fort Wayne (PFW) Mastodons with just over six minutes remaining in the first half. Guillermo led all scorers with eight points, complemented by five rebounds, a pair of assists, and a block. Meanwhile, the University of Kentucky Wildcats faced a challenging start against the Louisville Cardinals, falling behind 5-0 in the opening minutes. However, Kentucky managed to tie the game at 14-14 at the under-12 timeout, with contributions from Tre Mitchell and Antonio Reeves, who scored five points each, and Rob Dillingham with four points. Louisville showed early strength in the paint, but Kentucky's Ugonna Onyenso, who had previously blocked three shots against UNC, entered the game with the score tied. Despite Kentucky's slow start, missing their first five shots, they went on an 8-0 run in just over a minute to extend their lead to 29-18. Kentucky continued their offensive momentum with a 15-1 run in two and a half minutes, leading 31-18. Louisville attempted to close the gap, scoring on six straight possessions to bring the score to 39-30, prompting Kentucky coach John Calipari to call a timeout. Kentucky's offense remained potent, reaching a 100-point pace and leading 50-33 in the final minute of the half. The Wildcats continued to dominate, with a score of 62-36 with 17 minutes left in the game. Despite a brief resurgence from Louisville, Kentucky's Rob Dillingham scored six points in 109 seconds to extend the lead to 68-47. Kentucky showcased their three-point shooting prowess, outscoring Louisville 33-9 from beyond the arc. Louisville's Brandon Huntley-Hatfield and Reed Sheppard, as well as Kentucky's Tre White, were also noted for their early contributions.
Points from 3-pointers: Kentucky 33, Louisville 9.
Kentucky went cold, Louisville made a little push, and Rob Dillingham decided to go get buckets, as Dilly does. Three straight makes, the last one a pull-up in transition, bottoms. Six points in 109 seconds. Kentucky 68, Louisville 47, 12:04 2H.
Kentucky just toying with Louisville now. Mitchell to Bradshaw for a too-easy dunk to make 62-36 with 17 minutes to go. Welp.
Just now kind of sunk in: Louisville trailed Kentucky by eight with under three minutes to go in the first half. Then down 20 at halftime. That's incredible.
It was 39-31 at the 3:28 mark. Manage the rest of the half, go into halftime with the outcome at least in some doubt, maybe even cut that lead by a bucket and make Kentucky feel some pressure. Now the game is over. What is Louisville doing man
Kentucky missed its first five shots of the game. Cats are 18 of 29 since. They've hit 7 of 14 3s. On a 100-point pace. It's 50-33 in the final minute of the half.
Credit to Louisville. Not withering. John Calipari wants to talk it over as the Cards get within 39-30, 4:09 1H. Kentucky offense is rolling now, but not defending particularly well. U of L shooting 55%.
Kentucky 39, Louisville 30 and Calipari calls time at the 4:09 mark. Cards have scored on 6 straight possessions.
Louisville making a little push, Reed Sheppard shakes his man and sticks a 3. Kentucky by 13 again, pushing a 90-point pace again.
Kentucky has made 7 straight shots: 2 threes, a layup and 4 midrange jumpers (one a floater by Reeves). Louisville has gone 0-4 from the field since leading 17-16. Kentucky is on a 15-1 run.
Kentucky can put up points so quickly…that was a great run Louisville right now can’t guard anybody
*15-1 in 2 minutes, 31 seconds. Kentucky 31, Louisville 18, 8:20 1H. https://t.co/SmokjBJvAu
Kentucky on an 8-0 run in the last 1:05, pushing its lead over Louisville to 29-18 with 8:41 to play in the half.
At the under-12 timeout, Kentucky and Louisville are knotted at 14-all. Wildcats are just 5 of 14 (35.7%) from the field while the Cardinals are 6 for 11 (54.5%). Three players have scored for UK: Tre Mitchell and Antonio Reeves with 5 points apiece, while Rob Dillingham has 4.
Louisville has outscored Kentucky 8-6 in the paint so far, and here comes Ugonna Onyenso, who blocked three shots in his season debut Saturday against UNC. Kentucky 14, Louisville 14, 11:30 1H.
Louisville off to a good start, up 12-11 on Kentucky at the 13:46 1H TV time. Cats missed their first 5 shots. #BBN #ukbasketball #UKvsUofL
Early observations — the more patience Louisville plays with offensively, the better off it will be. Tre White drove once without ball movement, got the ball slapped away and stolen. Kentucky missed its first 5 shots. Payne has yet to sub.
Timeout on the floor at the 13:46 mark of the half with Kentucky trailing Louisville 12-11. UK started 0 for 5 from the field but have gone 4 of 6 since.
It appears this game means something to Louisville (and former Tennessee) forward Brandon Huntley-Hatfield, who already has 6 points and 3 boards. That + a (former UK commit) Skyy Clark 3 = Louisville 12, Kentucky 11, 13:46 1H. https://t.co/kdFC823TNE
UPSET ALERT: Louisville 5, Kentucky 0
Louisville up 5-0 on Kentucky barely two minutes in, as Wildcats have a turnover and have missed both their shots so far.
LOUISVILLE IS BEATING KENTUCKY RIGHT NOW! An unassailable 5-0 lead!
Pitt's offense is coming alive. An 8-0 run has the Panthers ahead 23-8 with 6:13 left in the half. PFW calls a timeout. Guillermo leads all scorers with eight points. He also has five rebounds, a pair of assists and a block.