Crawford |Louisville plants its flag;Kentucky can not see back as the series victory, 96-88 |The game |

This was Louisville's "We're Back" moment.It is back at the national level.Back in the national conversation.Return home in front of the people.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. () -- It was Louisville's "we're back" moment.Back to the national parades.Back in the national conversation.Back in front of a sold out home crowd.

But if you're Louisville, you can do all this - and as long as you beat Kentucky, it doesn't matter.

Now, that's important.

Louisville 95, Kentucky 88.

It was night, and the enemy returned.It was the first meeting between the two teams in six consecutive years.Biggest crowd ever at KFCM!Center in nine seasons - 22,586. Donovan Mitchell led from left.He beat a good Kentucky team in the last Louisville team.

We're not going to talk about seven of eight Louisville throws not ending the game.That's for another column.

It was Louisville's night - its first series win since 2020. National coverage on ESPN that the Cardinals are ready for prime time.At least they were on this cold November night.

Louisville scored three goals (13-40).Kentucky was better around the basket (40-36 edge in the paint).

But Louisville is the best in the game and is staking a claim for one of the best systems in the country.

Michael Brown Jr.he is the best player on earth.He had 21 points in the first half before scoring in the second half, but came back when he equaled 29.

Xavier transfer Ryan Conwell was next to him, matching Kentucky's physicality and shooting.He had 24.

But even without starting the "Mountain Mohameba" book, Kentucky had the tools.Based on the ship's draft design, he played at the national championship level and saw the lights directly at home.Finish with 26.

Then Colin Chandler entered the conversations.

He hit three big three-pointers in the game's final 10 minutes — the last of which pulled Kentucky within four and signaled "game on" down the home stretch.

Louisville led 53-46 at the half.Second Grade Award and 50 first-half episodes, first since 1974. But they wanted more.

Kentucky was quietly inactive.After falling behind 78-58, the Wildcats launched a 12-3 run to close the gap.

Louisville missed five of six shots (then six of nine) and Kentucky forced the charge.

Chandler buried three straight 3-pointers to cut the deficit to 17 to 11 with less than 10 minutes left.A layup by Malachi Moreno with 4:53 left, 87-81, capped Kelsey's run.

Chandler hit again from deep at 4 minutes - 88-84.

When Adrian Wooley was tied after an offensive rebound, Kentucky got the ball and trailed by just four with 3:35 to play.Media timeout.

Jalandy fouled out with 3:16 left in the game, but missed the end of a one-and-one.

Louisville ball.Brown stole the ball up top and drove straight to the rim, scoring and making contact.Three point play.Louisville cut the lead back to seven points at 91-84.

Aberdeen responded with a basket.Brown responded with two free throws.93-86 cards.

Kentucky missed a pair of threes.At the other end, Conwell muscled in the rim for two more - 95-86.

Aberdeen drives for another layup. Timeout Kentucky, down seven.

After the timeout, Kentucky defended well. Aberdeen guarded Brown. Conwell drove and kicked to Isaac McKneely for a missed three, but Sananda Fru, who was tremendous all night, grabbed the biggest rebound of the game — an offensive board and dish back to Conwell. Kentucky had to foul.

Conwell missed both free throws with 52 seconds left, but J'Vonne Hadley was able to rebound.Louisville kept the ball and Kentucky fumbled again with 44.2 seconds left.

Hadley lost two more.Kentucky still has powder.

But Lowe dribbled out of bounds under the basket with 36 seconds left.

Hadley back to the line.Lost twice.Yet

Kentucky can't convert.Louisville ran out the clock.

Fru finished the game with 10 points, seven rebounds and three assists.McKneee, Wooley and Hadley each added nine points.The Cardinals outscored Kentucky 19-10 in turnovers and had 20 assists.

More to come.

CRAWFORD |Sooner or later, Louisville's Kelsey will feel the gravity of the Kentucky rivalry

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