The University of Louisville men’s basketball team struggled against No. 12 Tennessee, ultimately falling 77-55 on Saturday at the KFC Yum! Center. Despite the loss, the home crowd provided an electric atmosphere, and head coach Pat Kelsey expressed optimism for the team’s future.
Game Recap
Tennessee set the tone early, scoring the first 10 points of the game and holding Louisville without a basket for over five minutes until Reyne Smith broke the drought with a 3-pointer. Tennessee maintained their dominance throughout the first half, including a 17-3 run that stretched their lead to 38-16. Louisville found some momentum with a four-point play by Noah Waterman, sparking a 10-0 run, but Tennessee ended the half ahead, 40-26.
The Cardinals started the second half with a strong defensive effort, forcing four turnovers in just over three minutes and preventing Tennessee from scoring any field goals in that stretch. Smith’s back-to-back 3-pointers brought Louisville within single digits, but Tennessee’s Zakai Zeigler quickly answered with a 3-pointer that fueled a decisive 22-5 run. This extended Tennessee’s lead to 69-43 with 6:30 remaining. Louisville managed an eight-point run late in the game, but Tennessee responded with six straight points, closing out the game with a commanding lead.
Team Stats
- Louisville forced Tennessee into 20 turnovers and recorded 12 steals.
- Tennessee won the rebounding battle 40-26, which contributed to their 15 second-chance points.
- Louisville struggled offensively, shooting just 26.7% from the field, while Tennessee hit 56.6% of their shots.
Key Performances
- Reyne Smith led Louisville with 18 points, making four 3-pointers and adding five rebounds and one assist.
- Noah Waterman also contributed 10 points with three 3-pointers.
- For Tennessee, Chaz Lanier and Zakai Zeigler each scored 19 points, combining for seven 3-pointers.
Looking Ahead
Louisville has a 10-day break before facing local rival Bellarmine on Tuesday, Nov. 19, at 7 p.m. at the KFC Yum! Center. The game will be broadcast on ACCNX.
