BOX SCORE: Louisville's 14 three-point field goals are not enough to get over the hump

Pat Kelsey believes in many of the same offensive philosophies as Mark Pope. The former Winthrop and College of Charleston head coach wants his teams to play with pace, spacing, and win the three-point shot volume battle. The Cards are short-handed, but this is a team that wants to shoot a ton of threes. Unfortunately, they have been shooters and not makers.

Louisville turned into makers at Rupp Arena on Saturday evening. Despite setting a new season-high mark for three-point field goals, Louisville could never take the lead in the second half. Kentucky absorbed quite the punch in the 93-85 rivalry win.

Kelsey’s squad scored 85 points in 70 possessions (1.21 points per possession) with 14 three-point makes. Chucky Hepburn (26 points on 18 shots) and Terrence Edwards Jr. (23 points on 13 shots) led the way. That should be enough to beat just about anyone but wasn’t good enough on Saturday. Why? Because Kentucky scored 93 points in 68 possessions (1.37 points per possession).

Mark Pope‘s offense got 34 points on 21 shots at the rim, poured in 11 three-point field goals, and added 18 points at the free throw line. Kentucky won the rebounding battle (41-31) and logged 23 assists on 32 field goals. The Wildcats were led by Lamont Butler (33 points on 10 shots), Otega Oweh (17 points on 11 shots), and Jaxson Robinson (12 points on 11 shots). Despite getting the lead to 10 points multiple times in the second half, Kentucky could not land the TKO punch due to Louisville’s shotmaking.

Kentucky took their archrival’s best punch and scored at will in an eight-point home win. A three-point offense that ranks No. 329 overall in three-point field goal percentage had it rolling, but it was barely enough to cover the spread.

BOX SCORE: Kentucky vs. Louisville