CINCINNATI (WDRB)— The Louisville-Cincinnati basketball rivalry is as intense as ever. Picture this: players battling it out, sweat flying, and the game on the line. It took the No. 6-ranked Louisville team over seven minutes to score their first basket in this heated matchup, marking the 101st clash between the two schools.
One player, Ryan Conwell, stood out. In the second half, he dominated, scoring 25 points—17 of those after halftime. His performance helped the Cardinals secure a 74-64 victory in downtown Cincinnati, boosting their record to 5-0. Meanwhile, Cincinnati’s losing streak against top 10 teams extends back to 2012.
Cincinnati jumped ahead early with a 17-6 lead. Louisville struggled to adjust. Their usual quick plays were stifled, and they made only 2 of 7 layups in the first half. J’Vonne Hadley took a hit but returned strong after halftime. Support came from Sananda Fru, who made his presence felt offensively and defensively, while Khani Rooths disrupted Cincinnati’s offense with effective pressure.
A pivotal 7-2 run pushed Louisville ahead by four early in the second half. An 11-3 run later increased their lead to 11, thanks to a three-pointer from Conwell. Cincinnati clawed back, narrowing the gap to six with just over four minutes left. But Mikel Brown responded with a crucial three-pointer and a slam dunk, helping Louisville restore their lead to 11 points.
Brown had been struggling earlier in the game, but he found his rhythm when it mattered, finishing with 22 points, including 12 in the second half. Louisville shot 48% in that half and turned things around in the paint, outscoring Cincinnati 18-14 after an underwhelming first half.
Such rivalries are rich with history. Louisville and Cincinnati have faced off countless times. Historically, these games are marked by high stakes and fierce competition, often drawing large crowds and generating buzz on social media. Fans passionately tweet throughout the game, sharing reactions and highlights, creating a lively online atmosphere that mirrors the intensity on the court.
As the teams prepare for their next outings, Louisville’s strong performance against Cincinnati sets the tone for what could be an exciting season ahead.
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