LEXINGTON, Ky. — Coach Cal losing it? Could he be on his way out of Kentucky? These are not the usual questions people asked among themselves, but after another defeat for the Wildcats on Saturday, many are now wondering if time is now running out for coach John Calipari.
His comment after the game “losing stinks.”
How Louisville Defeated Kentucky – Gam Highlights
Carlik Jones made two free throws with 5.1 seconds remaining and Louisville handed rival Kentucky a 62-59 defeat on Saturday.
The loss this weekend means Kentucky registered its first-ever six-game losing streak since 1988-89, which was the last season for then head coach Eddie Sutton. It was just the third time in program history the Wildcats were 1-6 to start a season.
Jones scored 20 points and five rebounds and David Johnson added 17 points with seven rebounds and four assists to lead Louisville.
The Wildcats trailed 28-27 at halftime but started the second half on the front foot to take the lead early after the break.
Louisville fought back to lead 56-49 with 4:50 left in the half but the Wildcats (1-6) rallied again to tie the game at 59-all with 1:05 left on Isaiah Jackson’s free throw.
The Cardinals (6-1) went back ahead 60-59 when Dre Davis made one of two free throws with 18.9 left.
Boston’s Missed 3-Pointer Hands Louisville Win
However, on the next possession, Kentucky’s Olivier Sarr watched his jumper rimmed out, and then his teammate Davion Mintz committed a foul to send Jones to the free-throw line and he made both to seal the win as Brandon Boston Jr. missed a potential game-tying wide-open 3-pointer.
Mintz finished with 19 points on 6 of 12 shooting, which included 4 for 6 from 3-pointers, to go along with seven rebounds and two steals to pace Kentucky, which had won 11 of 13 in the series.
Boston added 11 points and seven rebounds, while Jacob Toppin had 10 points with six rebounds for the Wildcats, who shot 34.5% from the field and 29.4% from 3-pointers.
Kentucky had just six assists on 20 made baskets but outrebounded Louisville 40-35.
Louisville, which won two straight since losing to then-No. 12 Wisconsin a week ago, finished with just nine assists on 22 made field goals and made 12 of the 15 attempts from the free-throw line.
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Digital Box score
KENTUCKY (1-6)
Jackson 2-6 3-4 7, Sarr 0-4 1-2 1, Askew 3-9 0-0 7, Boston 3-11 5-5 11, Mintz 6-12 3-5 19, Toppin 5-7 0-1 10, Clarke 0-4 0-0 0, Ware 1-5 2-5 4. Totals 20-58 14-22 59.
LOUISVILLE (6-1)
Withers 3-3 2-2 8, Johnson 5-10 4-5 17, Jones 7-16 5-6 20, Davis 2-9 1-2 5, Williamson 2-6 0-0 4, Slazinski 2-4 0-0 5, Traynor 0-0 0-0 0, Nickelberry 1-4 0-0 3. Totals 22-52 12-15 62.
Halftime–Louisville 28-27. 3-Point Goals–Kentucky 5-17 (Mintz 4-6, Askew 1-5, Boston 0-3, Clarke 0-3), Louisville 6-20 (Johnson 3-4, Slazinski 1-2, Jones 1-3, Nickelberry 1-4, Williamson 0-2, Davis 0-5). Fouled Out–Jackson. Rebounds–Kentucky 35 (Jackson, Boston, Mintz 7), Louisville 34 (Withers 9). Assists–Kentucky 6 (Askew 3), Louisville 9 (Johnson 4). Total Fouls–Kentucky 15, Louisville 17. A–3,281 (22,090).
