Box score & MVP from Kentucky’s loss to Louisville

The Kentucky Wildcats have been everything but impressive so far this season. However, when it’s Cats vs. Cards, records go out the window for a rivalry game.

Since John Calipari took over as the Kentucky head coach, the Cats have dominated this rivalry and were looking to continue that today and try to turn this season around.

Right from the tip, it was obvious that this was going to be a very low scoring game as the Cards held an 8-5 lead at the first media timeout.

One thing that has been consistent this season is Kentucky going on a run when Jacob Toppin enters the game.

That was true again today as they went on a run to take a 13-11 lead at the under 12 media timeout.

With just over five minutes left in the half, a layup by Toppin tied the game at 21. Down the stretch of the half, neither team could score as the Cards held a 28-27 lead at the break.

The second half got off to as good a start that you could ask for as the Cats stepped up on the defensive end and turned it into quick offense to take a 32-28 lead.

Unfortunately, the Cats hit one of their long scoreless streaks that we have become accustomed to that allowed the Cards to take a 37-34 lead.

The long scoreless streaks have been what has done the Cats in throughout the season and today’s allowed Louisville to build up a 50-43 lead with just under eight minutes to go.

However, Kentucky wasn’t going to go away as they were able to battle back to make it 57-54 at the under four media timeout.

Each team struggled to score down the stretch, but Kentucky found themselves down 60-59 with the ball and 18 seconds to play.

Unfortunately, Olivier Sarr missed the potential game winner and BJ Boston missed the game tying three-point attempt at the buzzer as Louisville wins it 62-59.

Game MVP

The Cats’ most consistent player this season has been Davion Mintz and he was great again today keeping the Cats in it when Louisville would go on a run.

For the second game in a row, Mintz is once again the MVP.

Right from the start, Mintz was aggressive and doing a lot for the Cats as he finished with 19-points on 6/12 shooting and was 4/6 from beyond the arc. He also added seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

It is obvious that Mintz has been the most consistent player on the team through seven games, but he needs more of his teammates to step up in a big way if this team is going to have any sense of success.

Box Score

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