14th ranked Kentucky hosted in-state rival 7th ranked Louisville in the Battle of the Bluegrass at Rupp Arena.
Louisville gets on the board first with a layup, and Sabrina Haines responds with a 3 to give the Cats a 3-2 lead early in the 1st quarter. Cardinals with an 8-3 lead, and Jaida Roper gets a basket for the Cats and it’s an 8-5 Cardinals lead. Rhyne Howard ties it up and its 13-13 but Louisville answers to take the lead back but Kentucky gets another 3 to take a 16-15 lead. Cardinals take the lead back to have 21-16 lead after the 1st quarter.
Kentucky starts the 2nd quarter with a layup and Louisville gets one as well, Rhyne Howard gets a layup and goes to line for and one to cut the lead to 2 and gets another layup to tie the game up at 23-23. Rhyne Howard has all of Kentucky’s points in the 2nd quarter so far and we are tied up again, 25-25.A 3 pointer by Sabrina Haines and a foul, she goes to the line and gets the free throw for the Cats to have a 4 point lead, 29-25. Kentucky has 5 3 pointers, Louisville has none. Kentucky goes into the break with a 40-31 lead.
Louisville starts the third quarter with Louisville’s first 3 of the game by Dana Evans, Kentucky’s Tatyana Wyatt answers right back with the Wildcat’s 7th 3 of the game, 43-34. Tatyana Wyatt with another 3 for the Cats, and they are up 52-45. Sabrina Haines with the 9th 3 for Kentucky. A foul on Rhyne Howard and the lead is cut down to 5. Louisville has it down to just 2 points, 55-53. Louisville takes back the lead, 56-55 here in the 3rd quarter. Louisville has the 58-55 lead after the third quarter. They outscored Kentucky 27-15 in the third quarter and went on a 13-0 run to come back.
Kentucky starts the 4th quarter on two out of three free throws, 58-57. Louisville gets a basket and it’s still a 60-57 lead for the Lady Cardinals. KeKe McKinney hits a 3 and it’s a 2 points game, 62-60. Rhyne Howard ties it up at 62-62 and she goes to the line but misses the free throw. Rhyne Howard gets another basket to tie it up once again, 64-64. Louisville’s Kylee Shook with a 3 to make it 67-64. Sabrina Haines goes to the line for three, and gets both of them, just a one point game, 67-66. Louisville hands Kentucky their first loss of the season.
Final #7 Louisville 67, #14 Kentucky 66
Kentucky travels to Berkeley, California to take on California next Saturday at 7 p.m. ET to close up their non-conference schedule.
