Battle for the Bluegrass: Did Kenny Brooks get his signature win?

From a sold-out Memorial Colesium, the first half of the Kentucky women's basketball game against Louisville was marked by a lot of sloppy play for the Cats, and relentless defensive pressure from the Cardinals. Despite starting strong with a narrow 16-15 lead after the first quarter, the Wildcats found themselves trailing 30-27 at halftime.

Key issues for Kentucky were turnovers and offensive struggles. Guards Georgia Amoore and Teonni Key combined for 8 turnovers in the half (4 each), with Louisville's physical double-teams frequently forcing mistakes. Amoore, who scored 9 points on 4-of-7 shooting, faced constant defensive pressure, which disrupted her rhythm and led to missed opportunities for the Wildcats to establish a consistent offensive flow.

The team collectively shot just 1-for-9 (11.1%) from three-point range, a reoccurring theme so far this season, and committed 12 turnovers, stalling their offense. The Wildcats' shooting woes extended to their overall field goal percentage, with multiple players struggling to convert open looks when they got them.

On the other side, Louisville capitalized on Kentucky's mistakes and showcased a physical brand of basketball. Their savvy defensive strategy paid off, holding Kentucky to 27 points by halftime. The Cardinals shot a terrible 36.1% from the field but managed to keep the game tight with a balanced scoring effort, including key contributions from Ja'Leah Williams (8 points).

Defensively, Kentucky held its own at times with 5 blocks, preventing Louisville from pulling away even further. However, the Wildcats must clean up their offensive execution and limit turnovers in the second half to regain control. With Amoore under heavy pressure, finding alternative scoring options will be crucial for Kentucky to make a comeback.

Kentucky responded in the third quarter with an 8-2 run to regain the lead, 38-36, capped by an impressive up-and-under move from Amelia Hassett with just under three minutes to play. However, Louisville quickly answered, with Imari Berry hitting three consecutive three-pointers to swing momentum back in the Cardinals' favor.

As the quarter came to a close, Georgia Amoore attempted to cut into the deficit but had her shot blocked as the buzzer sounded. Louisville carried a 46-42 lead into the fourth quarter, maintaining their edge in a physical and tightly contested game.

With Kentucky trailing 53-52 and five minutes remaining, the Wildcats had an opportunity to take the lead but turned the ball over on an inbounds play. This miscue led to a Louisville fast break, though a foul prevented the layup. The Cardinals converted 1-of-2 free throws to extend their lead.

Strack answered by tying the game from the post, and Kentucky’s defense stepped up, drawing an offensive foul to gain another chance to go ahead. However, another turnover led to a Louisville layup, and yet another Kentucky turnover followed shortly after.

Louisville then missed two free throws, keeping the door open for the Wildcats. Strack missed a wing jumper on the ensuing possession, but the Cardinals failed to capitalize. This allowed Amelia Hassett to step up and tie the game.

After Cochran missed a turnaround for Louisville, Kentucky found themselves with yet another chance to take the lead with 1:40 left. A jump ball kept possession with the Wildcats. Hassett sent to the line with a chance to take to take the lead. She made both, and then Clara Strack does what she's done all year long, block a shot. Kentucky up two with under 1:20 to go, Kenny Brooks called a timeout to set up a play. It did not go well, as Kentucky turned it over with a shot clock violation.

Lousiville with a chance to tie or take the lead, missed another jumper and Kentucky takes the rebound. Lawrence is fouled but misses the first, and then misses the second with 34 seconds left, this time Louisville does tie the game off a layup.

With only 26 seconds left, the Cats had the ability to take the last shot. Amoore dribbled it down to 8 seconds, and then had her step three blocked to send the game to OT.

The Cats scored the first four of overtime to take a 62-58 lead. Atfer Louisville made one free throw, Amoore commits her eigth turnover of the the game, but Key blocks a shot to keep the lead at 3. Two Kentucky free throws countered by two Louisville free throws, the Cats looked to drain some clock but Strack missed a baseline jumper, leaving the Cats up 3, 64-61 with 1:09 to go.

Louisville, ironically, turns it over leading to a Lawrence layup putting the Cats up 5 with just 51 seconds to go. A quick miss from Louisville, and then a foul from Louisville put Hassett back on the line where she made 1 of 2. A missed three followed up by a foul from Louisville put Amoore at the charity stripe where she nailed two. With only 30 seconds left, the Cats are now up 8. An Amoore steal and a quick layup puts the Cats up 10, another Louisville turnover allows Kentucky to dribble the clock out.

Kenny Brooks and the Cats had 23 turnovers in this one, when they only had 31 all year coming in. Despite that the Cats walk away with their first top 25 win since 2022, and first win against Louisville since 2015.

Both Brooks and Pope walk away with signature wins in November.