LOUISVILLE, Ky., Sporting Alert – No. 10 Louisville made a big statement to the rest of the league on Wednesday night after knocking off No. 6 Kentucky 73-70 in an action pack contest at KFC Yum! Center. Box Scores and game details
The Cardinals, who had lost the previous four meetings, were beating the Wildcats for only the 2nd time since John Calipari became the coach of Kentucky.
It was also Louisville’s first win over Kentucky since 29 December 2012.
Quentin Snider scored a career-high 22 points on 10-of-19 shooting, including a key drive with 1:44 remaining to go along with six rebounds and five assists and Deng Adel added 18 points and six boards for the Cardinals (11-1), who improved to 8-0 at home this season.
Jaylen Johnson had 14 points and six rebounds and Donovan Mitchell finished with 13 points in the win for the hosts, which trailed 40-39 at halftime.
Freshman De’Aaron Fox scored 21 points to lead Kentucky (10-2), while fellow freshman sensation Malik Monk, who is coming off a career-high 47 points in the win over North Carolina last week, was held for 16 on the night.
Monk also struggled shooting the ball from behind the arc after he went 1-for-9 from 3-point range, one game after making eight against the Tar Heels.
His lone success from long-range came with 11 seconds left in the game when he pulled the visitors within a point at 71-70.
However, Mitchell knocked down a pair of free-throws to open back up a three point advantage and then closed down Monk on the Wildcats final shot.
Kentucky was losing for only the second time this season, following the 97-92 defeat to then-No. 11 UCLA earlier this month.
Despite the loss on Wednesday night, there is no doubt the Wildcats are still a Top 10 team but are expected to slip a few places in the next AP Top 25 rankings.
Meanwhile, Kentucky will open SEC play on Dec. 29 at Mississippi.
Louisville will play host to No. 12 Virginia in its ACC opener on Dec. 28.
