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No. 9 Kentucky edges No. 6 Louisville, 48-47

J.Ramirez3 months ago

First Posted:

(AP) Janee Thompson scored all 13 of her points in the second half, including a 3-pointer with 8.4 seconds left, to lift No. 9 Kentucky to a 48-47 comeback victory over No. 6 Louisville Sunday night.


The freshman guard finished with 13 points and scored the final six for the Wildcats (6-1), who trailed by 14 points in the second half before rallying down the stretch behind tough defense that held Louisville without a field goal for the final 4:54.


After Thompson’s 3-pointer, Louisville (8-1) had one final chance, but Bria Smith’s lay-up was blocked by Azia Bishop just before the buzzer.


Shoni Schimmel finished with 13 points to lead the Cardinals, who led 35-21 with 15:08 left before wilting in the final minutes from Kentucky’s defensive pressure. The Cardinals committed 25 turnovers.


DeNesha Stallworth scored 14 points for Kentucky, which claimed Bluegrass State bragging rights for the second straight year over the Cardinals.


Thompson did not play in the first half but was inserted in the second half to give the Wildcats an offensive boost. Before her game-winning shot she was fouled outside the arc and made all three free throws to bring Kentucky within 47-45 with 59.5 seconds remaining.


The close victory helped Kentucky win its fifth in a row and earn its first win against a ranked opponent this season. The Wildcats lost 85-51 at No. 1 Baylor in its second game.


It was also the closest margin in six games between the intrastate rivals. The average margin of victory before Sunday was 22 points.


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